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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 information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. file — a line of people
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. rash — a series
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. rash — hasty
  7. pass — a permit
  8. bear — the animal
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. deal — to handle
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. current — happening now
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. file — a tool
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. current — electric
  20. bear — the animal
  21. current — of water
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. rush — hurry

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