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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 116 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 · chip · mate · craft · can · mug · face · patient

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. current — of water
  4. craft — boats
  5. craft — a handicraft
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. can — a tin
  8. mug — a cup
  9. mug — to rob
  10. current — electric
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. face — part of the head
  13. face — to point toward
  14. current — happening now
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. face — to confront
  17. mug — a face
  18. mate — to breed
  19. can — to be able to
  20. mate — a friend
  21. chip — to eat
  22. chip — for betting
  23. can — a tin
  24. mate — a partner

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