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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. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. bowl — to roll
  2. bulb — for light
  3. current — happening now
  4. bulb — for light
  5. pit — a hole
  6. mark — a grade
  7. net — in sport
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. net — for catching
  10. current — electric
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. mark — a trace
  14. net — after costs
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. charge — electricity
  19. charge — a price
  20. current — of water
  21. charge — in control
  22. pit — in a race
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. safe — a strongbox

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