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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 ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. wax — to grow
  4. shower — a meteor shower
  5. current — of water
  6. dip — to sink
  7. tube — a container
  8. current — electric
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. shower — rain
  14. can — a tin
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. tube — the underground
  17. can — a tin
  18. current — happening now
  19. shower — to wash
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. can — to be able to
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. pass — a permit
  24. safe — out of danger

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