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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. suit — to fit
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. object — an aim
  7. bank — of a river
  8. deal — to handle
  9. suit — in cards
  10. face — part of the head
  11. face — to confront
  12. object — to protest
  13. object — a thing
  14. suit — clothes
  15. bank — for money
  16. bank — for money
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. face — to point toward
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. current — happening now
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. current — of water

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