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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. He was locked up in a ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. Did you ________________ the button?
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. cell — in a prison
  4. current — happening now
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. press — to push
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. key — in music
  9. board — a committee
  10. press — newspapers
  11. bore — gave birth
  12. current — electric
  13. cell — in biology
  14. bore — to drill
  15. press — a publisher
  16. bore — to tire
  17. key — for a lock
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. cell — a phone
  21. key — the most important part
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. deal — to handle
  24. board — to get on

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