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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
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: wave · current · cue · jam · calf · bore · rock · toast

  1. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  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. jam — to spread on bread
  2. rock — a stone
  3. current — of water
  4. cue — a hint
  5. rock — music
  6. current — happening now
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. bore — to tire
  9. toast — bread
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. current — electric
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. cue — for pool
  22. bore — to drill
  23. calf — of the leg
  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