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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. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. current — happening now
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. file — a document
  5. current — of water
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. mate — to breed
  8. rock — music
  9. rock — a stone
  10. file — a line of people
  11. current — electric
  12. staff — employees
  13. mug — a cup
  14. staff — employees
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. staff — a stick
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. mug — to rob
  19. suit — clothes
  20. suit — to fit
  21. mate — a friend
  22. mate — a partner
  23. mug — a face
  24. suit — in cards

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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