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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. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. key — the most important part
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. mark — a trace
  6. file — a document
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. suit — to fit
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. current — of water
  12. key — in music
  13. file — a tool
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. mark — a grade
  16. suit — clothes
  17. current — electric
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. suit — in cards
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. current — happening now
  22. stand — to bear
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. key — for a lock

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