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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 116 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: clip · leaves · pass · safe · spell · row · can · current

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. How do you ________________ your surname?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  18. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  19. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. pass — a permit
  3. current — happening now
  4. can — a tin
  5. clip — to cut
  6. row — a line
  7. current — of water
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. spell — letters
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. current — electric
  14. clip — a video
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. row — a quarrel
  18. clip — for paper
  19. spell — a short time
  20. can — a tin
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. spell — magic
  23. can — to be able to
  24. leaves — to go away

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