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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: cue · saw · ruler · file · can · fork · current · kick

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  8. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. can — to be able to
  3. file — a document
  4. cue — a hint
  5. can — a tin
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. kick — with a leg
  8. file — a tool
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. fork — in a road
  11. kick — in football
  12. cue — for pool
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. kick — a thrill
  15. saw — the tool
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. current — happening now
  19. file — a line of people
  20. saw — the tool
  21. can — a tin
  22. cue — a signal
  23. current — electric
  24. fork — to eat with

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