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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. We're almost out of ________________.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. current — electric
  3. current — happening now
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. bore — to tire
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. pop — to visit
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. bulb — for light
  12. pass — a permit
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. can — to be able to
  15. board — to get on
  16. bulb — for light
  17. current — of water
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. can — a tin
  20. board — a committee
  21. pop — music
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. pop — soda
  24. bore — to drill

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