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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. key — in music
  3. current — happening now
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. ball — a dance
  6. suit — in cards
  7. key — for a lock
  8. fall — to drop
  9. suit — to fit
  10. stock — goods
  11. fall — the season
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. ball — a great time
  14. suit — clothes
  15. bulb — for light
  16. stock — shares
  17. fine — all right
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. fine — high quality
  20. fall — to drop
  21. bulb — for light
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. key — the most important part
  24. current — of water

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