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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 120 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
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: current · temple · safe · pass · board · key · perch · wake

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. perch — the fish
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. current — of water
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. current — electric
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. current — happening now
  11. key — the most important part
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. key — in music
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. board — a committee
  17. wake — a trail
  18. key — for a lock
  19. board — to get on
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. pass — a permit
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. wake — before a funeral

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