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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: saw · bay · cue · current · content · bore · leaves · mouse

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. current — happening now
  3. current — electric
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. cue — a hint
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. saw — the tool
  10. content — videos and posts
  11. saw — the tool
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. content — the amount
  16. bore — to drill
  17. current — of water
  18. content — happy
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. cue — a signal
  21. cue — for pool
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. mouse — the animal

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