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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. straw — to clutch at straws
  4. current — electric
  5. bank — for money
  6. bank — of a river
  7. straw — a straw man
  8. cue — for pool
  9. cue — a signal
  10. bore — to drill
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. bank — for money
  13. deal — to handle
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bore — to tire
  17. cue — a hint
  18. straw — dry grass
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. current — of water
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. rock — music

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