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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. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — to clutch at straws
  2. root — the cause
  3. current — electric
  4. current — of water
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. can — a tin
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. straw — dry grass
  9. suit — to fit
  10. root — of a plant
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — in cards
  13. fork — to eat with
  14. firm — decided
  15. fork — a garden tool
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. current — happening now
  18. suit — clothes
  19. firm — steady
  20. firm — a company
  21. root — of a word
  22. straw — a straw man
  23. can — to be able to
  24. fork — in a road

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