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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. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. fine — high quality
  3. mate — to breed
  4. current — of water
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. saw — the tool
  8. current — electric
  9. lean — to bend
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. firm — a company
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. firm — steady
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. mate — a friend
  16. lean — thin
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. mate — a partner
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. current — happening now
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. firm — decided
  23. saw — the tool
  24. ruler — for measuring

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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