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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 120 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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The ________________ went through the wall.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. mark — a trace
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. can — a tin
  10. rush — hurry
  11. pass — a permit
  12. bowl — a dish
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. mark — a grade
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. can — to be able to
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. current — of water
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. current — electric
  24. can — a tin

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