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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. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. current — of water
  3. cue — a hint
  4. current — happening now
  5. cue — for pool
  6. current — electric
  7. wound — past of 'wind'
  8. mate — a friend
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. wound — an injury
  13. cue — a signal
  14. mate — a partner
  15. mark — a grade
  16. scale — size or range
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. lean — to bend
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. mark — a trace
  22. wound — an injury
  23. mate — to breed
  24. lean — thin

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