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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
468
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: ruler · suit · bark · key · fan · cap · bay · current

  1. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  14. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — of ice
  2. current — happening now
  3. key — in music
  4. current — of water
  5. suit — clothes
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. current — electric
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. cap — a hat
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. bark — a dog's sound
  14. bark — to shout
  15. suit — to fit
  16. key — for a lock
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. bark — of a tree
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. key — the most important part
  22. cap — a lid
  23. suit — in cards
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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