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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. Did you ________________ the meat?

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. suit — in cards
  3. root — the cause
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. root — of a plant
  6. rush — hurry
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. suit — clothes
  11. current — happening now
  12. suit — to fit
  13. season — of the year
  14. mark — a trace
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. current — electric
  17. root — of a word
  18. mark — a grade
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. pitch — completely
  21. season — in sport
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. season — to add flavour

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