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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: current · safe · row · root · fork · cue · mug · coach

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. mug — to rob
  3. mug — a cup
  4. row — to paddle
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. root — the cause
  7. cue — a hint
  8. fork — to eat with
  9. root — of a plant
  10. cue — for pool
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. current — electric
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. current — of water
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cue — a signal
  18. current — happening now
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. mug — a face
  21. root — of a word
  22. fork — in a road
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. row — a line

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