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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. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. kick — with a leg
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. kick — in football
  5. plane — a tool
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. current — electric
  8. rash — a series
  9. bore — to drill
  10. bore — to tire
  11. bound — tied together
  12. rock — music
  13. current — happening now
  14. firm — decided
  15. bound — obliged
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. bound — certain
  18. firm — steady
  19. rash — hasty
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. rock — a stone
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. kick — a thrill
  24. current — of water

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