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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: scale · can · pit · fork · current · calf · rush · plane

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. current — of water
  3. pit — a hole
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. fork — in a road
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. can — a tin
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. scale — size or range
  14. rush — hurry
  15. current — electric
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. plane — a tool
  19. scale — in music
  20. current — happening now
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. can — a tin
  23. can — to be able to
  24. scale — for weighing

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