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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 120 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: can · pop · dip · foot · current · sharp · hide · rock

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. can — a tin
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. current — happening now
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. can — to be able to
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. foot — a measure
  13. pop — soda
  14. rock — a stone
  15. pop — to visit
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. pop — music
  20. can — a tin
  21. current — of water
  22. sharp — clever
  23. current — electric
  24. rock — music

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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