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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: staff · safe · fine · rash · cell · current · bowl · saw

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He was locked up in a ________________.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  7. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. rash — a series
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. cell — in a prison
  5. saw — the tool
  6. staff — employees
  7. cell — in biology
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. staff — a stick
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. fine — all right
  14. staff — employees
  15. saw — the tool
  16. current — of water
  17. current — electric
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. rash — hasty
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. cell — a phone
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. fine — high quality

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