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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 116 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  9. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. rock — a stone
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. tube — the underground
  6. mug — a cup
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. wind — to turn a key
  9. wind — moving air
  10. bear — the animal
  11. rock — music
  12. bear — the animal
  13. mug — to rob
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. perch — the fish
  17. plane — a tool
  18. wind — moving air
  19. tube — a container
  20. current — happening now
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. mug — a face
  23. current — of water
  24. bear — to put up with

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com