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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: firm · wave · current · can · bay · stick · fine · dip

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. fine — all right
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. current — electric
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. firm — a company
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. current — of water
  12. can — to be able to
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. current — happening now
  15. firm — decided
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. can — a tin
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. can — a tin
  21. fine — high quality
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. dip — to sink
  24. firm — steady

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