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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: safe · perch · bay · club · current · face · suit · jam

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. current — electric
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. current — happening now
  6. current — of water
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. suit — to fit
  9. club — for golf
  10. suit — clothes
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. suit — in cards
  13. face — to confront
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. perch — the fish
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. face — to point toward
  21. face — part of the head
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. club — for dancing
  24. club — a group

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