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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: stick · board · object · current · pitcher · key

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. object — an aim
  3. current — electric
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. key — for a lock
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. board — to get on
  10. current — happening now
  11. object — a thing
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. current — of water
  15. key — the most important part
  16. key — in music
  17. board — a committee
  18. object — to protest

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