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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
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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: current · leaves · fine · safe · cap · game · lie · chest

  1. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  9. That was a fun ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  18. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  22. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  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. chest — a box
  2. current — of water
  3. chest — of your body
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. lie — to recline
  8. chest — of your body
  9. game — a match
  10. current — electric
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. cap — a lid
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. current — happening now
  17. game — a kind of play
  18. game — wild animals
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. cap — of ice
  22. cap — a hat
  23. fine — all right
  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