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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: saw · current · snap · can · suit · plane · fine · chip

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. can — a tin
  3. chip — to eat
  4. chip — for betting
  5. snap — to click
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. plane — a tool
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. suit — clothes
  10. fine — high quality
  11. current — electric
  12. suit — to fit
  13. can — a tin
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. current — of water
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. suit — in cards
  18. can — to be able to
  19. snap — to speak sharply
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. saw — the tool
  22. fine — all right
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  24. saw — the tool

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