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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. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. wake — a trail
  4. can — to be able to
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. current — electric
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. can — a tin
  10. current — of water
  11. row — to paddle
  12. tube — the underground
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. current — happening now
  15. wake — before a funeral
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. fine — all right
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. can — a tin
  20. tube — a container
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. rush — hurry
  23. fine — high quality
  24. rush — to hurry

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