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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.

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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: jam · mate · current · root · charge · tube · suit · object

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. root — of a word
  3. current — electric
  4. suit — in cards
  5. tube — the underground
  6. root — of a plant
  7. suit — to fit
  8. mate — to breed
  9. object — an aim
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. object — to protest
  12. current — of water
  13. suit — clothes
  14. charge — in control
  15. mate — a partner
  16. tube — in a tire
  17. current — happening now
  18. tube — a container
  19. charge — electricity
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. root — the cause
  22. mate — a friend
  23. charge — a price
  24. jam — in traffic

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