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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. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. bank — for money
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. suit — clothes
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. bank — of a river
  8. ground — crushed
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. current — of water
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. suit — to fit
  13. current — happening now
  14. ground — the earth
  15. deal — to handle
  16. current — electric
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. ground — a position
  19. suit — in cards
  20. bank — for money
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. deal — an agreement

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