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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: key · object · bear · cue · lash · face · can · current

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. object — a thing
  3. current — electric
  4. key — for a lock
  5. current — happening now
  6. current — of water
  7. object — to protest
  8. face — to confront
  9. bear — the animal
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. key — the most important part
  12. face — to point toward
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — to be able to
  15. cue — a hint
  16. can — a tin
  17. face — part of the head
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. key — in music
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. bear — the animal
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. cue — for pool
  24. cue — a signal

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