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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 · safe · rest · bore · can · pass · nail · wax

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. can — to be able to
  4. rest — a break
  5. bore — to drill
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. bore — to tire
  8. current — of water
  9. pass — a permit
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. wax — to grow
  12. rest — what's left
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. can — a tin
  17. rest — what's left
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. can — a tin
  20. current — happening now
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. current — electric

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