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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.

Make a worksheet

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: fork · key · rash · safe · bear · current · nail · ground

  1. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. There's no middle ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. ground — the earth
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. current — of water
  5. fork — to eat with
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. current — happening now
  8. fork — in a road
  9. current — electric
  10. rash — a series
  11. bear — the animal
  12. ground — crushed
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ground — a position
  15. key — in music
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. key — the most important part
  19. key — for a lock
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. rash — hasty
  24. safe — a strongbox

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