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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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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: bound · current · pass · rush · lie · bulb · can · coach

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. current — of water
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. bound — obliged
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. pass — a permit
  11. bound — certain
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. can — to be able to
  14. can — a tin
  15. rush — hurry
  16. bulb — for light
  17. current — happening now
  18. bound — tied together
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. lie — to recline
  22. can — a tin
  23. bulb — for light
  24. lie — an untruth

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