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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 · rule · season · bulb · pass · rush · sharp · mouse

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. bulb — for light
  3. rule — a law
  4. season — in sport
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. rule — to rule out
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bulb — for light
  10. sharp — clever
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. current — happening now
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. season — of the year
  15. current — of water
  16. rule — government
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. rush — hurry
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. pass — a permit
  23. current — electric
  24. pass — to succeed

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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