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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. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. current — of water
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. net — for catching
  8. plane — a tool
  9. fine — all right
  10. current — electric
  11. can — a tin
  12. net — in sport
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. can — to be able to
  17. fine — high quality
  18. can — a tin
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. current — happening now
  24. net — after costs

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