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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  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. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. deal — to handle
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. rash — a series
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. current — electric
  8. mate — to breed
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. current — happening now
  12. current — of water
  13. cue — for pool
  14. clip — for paper
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. mate — a partner
  17. clip — a video
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. cue — a signal
  20. clip — to cut
  21. rash — hasty
  22. mate — a friend
  23. deal — an agreement
  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