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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 · rash · deal · bank · lie · current · mark · cue

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. rash — a series
  3. rash — hasty
  4. key — the most important part
  5. key — in music
  6. mark — a grade
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. cue — for pool
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. mark — a trace
  11. cue — a signal
  12. lie — to recline
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. key — for a lock
  15. bank — of a river
  16. current — happening now
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. deal — to handle
  19. cue — a hint
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. bank — for money
  23. current — of water
  24. bank — for money

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