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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. suit — in cards
  3. current — of water
  4. pit — a hole
  5. net — after costs
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. current — electric
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. wax — to grow
  10. bound — obliged
  11. bound — tied together
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. current — happening now
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. net — in sport
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. net — for catching
  18. bound — certain
  19. suit — clothes
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. suit — to fit
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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