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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: suit · mine · key · safe · jam · toast · mate · current

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. key — in music
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. key — the most important part
  5. current — of water
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. mate — a partner
  8. mate — a friend
  9. mine — for digging
  10. mate — to breed
  11. toast — bread
  12. current — happening now
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. suit — clothes
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. suit — in cards
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. key — for a lock
  23. current — electric
  24. mine — belonging to me

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