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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: cue · current · fine · wake · safe · club · tube · bound

  1. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. current — electric
  3. bound — tied together
  4. wake — before a funeral
  5. tube — a container
  6. club — for golf
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. wake — a trail
  10. fine — all right
  11. fine — high quality
  12. cue — a hint
  13. current — happening now
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. club — a group
  16. bound — obliged
  17. cue — a signal
  18. tube — the underground
  19. club — for dancing
  20. cue — for pool
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. current — of water
  24. safe — out of danger

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