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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: mark · dip · staff · pit · safe · current · stand · fine

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. pit — a fruit stone
  3. mark — a trace
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. current — of water
  6. stand — to bear
  7. mark — a grade
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. staff — employees
  12. pit — a hole
  13. fine — all right
  14. pit — in a race
  15. current — happening now
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. staff — employees
  21. current — electric
  22. staff — a stick
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. safe — out of danger

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