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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: current · can · net · lean · nail · pass · stand · dip

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. can — a tin
  4. current — happening now
  5. net — after costs
  6. pass — a permit
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stand — to bear
  9. net — for catching
  10. can — to be able to
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. current — of water
  13. lean — thin
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. can — a tin
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. net — in sport
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. dip — to sink
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. current — electric
  23. lean — to bend
  24. pass — to succeed

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