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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. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — part of the body
  2. current — of water
  3. current — electric
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. suit — in cards
  6. deal — to handle
  7. mate — a friend
  8. current — happening now
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. key — for a lock
  11. mate — to breed
  12. suit — clothes
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. key — the most important part
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — a tin
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. key — in music
  20. suit — to fit
  21. hand — help
  22. mate — a partner
  23. hand — in cards
  24. can — to be able to

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