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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 · rule · mouse · deal · foot · lash · board · mark

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. rule — to rule out
  7. mark — a trace
  8. current — electric
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. current — of water
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. rule — a law
  14. board — to get on
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. rule — government
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. mark — a grade
  19. deal — to handle
  20. foot — a measure
  21. current — happening now
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. board — a committee
  24. lash — an eyelash

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