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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: fine · current · foot · nail · rest · rush · saw · key

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. current — electric
  4. current — happening now
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. saw — the tool
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. fine — all right
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. fine — high quality
  14. saw — the tool
  15. rest — what's left
  16. rush — hurry
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. rest — what's left
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. rest — a break
  21. key — in music
  22. current — of water
  23. key — the most important part
  24. foot — a measure

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