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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: sharp · current · hide · can · ball · plane · suit · stock

  1. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. current — of water
  3. suit — in cards
  4. can — a tin
  5. stock — a soup base
  6. current — electric
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. stock — shares
  10. suit — clothes
  11. can — a tin
  12. ball — a great time
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. stock — goods
  16. sharp — clever
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. ball — a dance
  19. current — happening now
  20. plane — a tool
  21. suit — to fit
  22. can — to be able to
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. sharp — exactly

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