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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 124 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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. band — a rubber band
  3. mark — a grade
  4. band — a ring
  5. rock — music
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. current — happening now
  12. mug — a cup
  13. current — of water
  14. band — a music group
  15. mug — to rob
  16. mug — a face
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. pitch — completely
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. current — electric
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. rock — a stone

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