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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.

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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: current · deal · pass · ruler · perch · season · craft · foot

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. foot — a measure
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. current — electric
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. craft — a skill
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. season — in sport
  12. deal — to handle
  13. season — of the year
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. current — of water
  17. perch — the fish
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. craft — a handicraft
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. pass — a permit
  24. craft — boats

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