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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: safe · leaves · fine · mine · court · stand · toast · current

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. The ball is in your ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. fine — high quality
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. toast — bread
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. current — happening now
  13. court — of a king
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. current — of water
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. stand — to bear
  18. court — for sport
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. mine — for digging
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. mine — belonging to me
  23. fine — all right
  24. court — of law

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