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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: suit · staff · foot · safe · pit · wax · current · rush

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. suit — clothes
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. foot — a measure
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. staff — a stick
  9. wax — to grow
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. current — of water
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. current — electric
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. rush — hurry
  16. staff — employees
  17. pit — in a race
  18. staff — employees
  19. suit — in cards
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. suit — to fit
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. pit — a hole

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