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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 120 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 am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. current — happening now
  3. cue — a hint
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. suit — clothes
  6. cue — a signal
  7. current — electric
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. cue — for pool
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. stand — to bear
  14. suit — to fit
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. current — of water
  20. suit — in cards
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. plane — a tool
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. stand — for spectators

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