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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.

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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: can · rush · lash · current · sharp · craft · season · key

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. key — in music
  3. rush — hurry
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. season — of the year
  6. craft — a skill
  7. sharp — clever
  8. current — electric
  9. current — of water
  10. craft — boats
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. key — for a lock
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. can — to be able to
  15. sharp — with an edge
  16. current — happening now
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. key — the most important part
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. can — a tin
  23. season — in sport
  24. can — a tin

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