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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: current · bass · mouse · net · chip · saw · ruler · leaves

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. current — of water
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. bass — low music
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. chip — for betting
  14. net — after costs
  15. bass — the fish
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. net — for catching
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. net — in sport
  20. current — electric
  21. current — happening now
  22. chip — to eat
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. saw — the tool

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