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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: wake · fine · mate · coach · foot · ball · current · mug

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. mate — a friend
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. fine — all right
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. ball — a dance
  8. mug — a cup
  9. fine — high quality
  10. ball — a great time
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. current — of water
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. mate — to breed
  16. mug — to rob
  17. wake — before a funeral
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. mate — a partner
  20. current — happening now
  21. mug — a face
  22. wake — a trail
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. foot — a measure

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