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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: saw · foot · squash · fan · current · ruler · stick · kick

  1. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  13. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. foot — a measure
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. kick — in football
  5. squash — the sport
  6. current — happening now
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. kick — a thrill
  13. squash — the vegetable
  14. current — of water
  15. stick — to attach or keep to
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. kick — with a leg
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. saw — the tool
  20. squash — to crush
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. saw — the tool
  23. current — electric
  24. fan — a supporter

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