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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 124 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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. staff — employees
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. current — happening now
  5. cue — for pool
  6. can — to be able to
  7. staff — a stick
  8. cue — a signal
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. track — to keep track
  12. hide — animal skin
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. staff — employees
  17. current — electric
  18. can — a tin
  19. current — of water
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. can — a tin
  22. track — a path
  23. track — a song
  24. cue — a hint

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