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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 got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. Have you found your soul ________________?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. mate — a partner
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. current — electric
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. mark — a trace
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. current — of water
  11. suit — to fit
  12. current — happening now
  13. suit — clothes
  14. key — the most important part
  15. mate — a friend
  16. board — a committee
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. board — to get on
  19. key — in music
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. key — for a lock
  23. suit — in cards
  24. mate — to breed

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