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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: current · rule · leaves · lean · bulb · safe · mug · land

  1. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. When are we going to ________________?
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rule — to rule out
  2. current — electric
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. land — a country
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. bulb — for light
  8. rule — government
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. land — to come down
  11. bulb — for light
  12. lean — thin
  13. current — happening now
  14. lean — to bend
  15. mug — a cup
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. rule — a law
  19. mug — a face
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. land — ground
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. mug — to rob
  24. current — of water

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