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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. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. current — electric
  3. file — a line of people
  4. current — of water
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. key — the most important part
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. file — a tool
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. stand — to bear
  12. firm — decided
  13. file — a document
  14. firm — a company
  15. key — in music
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. foot — a measure
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. current — happening now
  20. key — for a lock
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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