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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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. can — a tin
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. rock — music
  9. current — electric
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bulb — for light
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. current — happening now
  15. current — of water
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. can — to be able to
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. bulb — for light
  22. can — a tin
  23. rock — a stone
  24. calf — of the leg

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