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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. current — happening now
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. rock — a stone
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. rock — music
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. chip — to eat
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. sharp — clever
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. wake — a trail
  17. current — of water
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. chip — for betting
  21. wave — a sudden rise
  22. current — electric
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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