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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. The ________________ market has crashed.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. deal — to handle
  3. shower — rain
  4. stand — to bear
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. current — of water
  9. current — electric
  10. stock — a soup base
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. shower — a meteor shower
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. shower — to wash
  17. stock — shares
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. current — happening now
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. stock — goods
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. safe — out of danger

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