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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: deal · suit · net · hide · safe · current · hand · present

  1. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  24. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.

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

Answer key

  1. hand — part of the body
  2. current — of water
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. net — after costs
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. hand — help
  7. suit — clothes
  8. suit — to fit
  9. hand — in cards
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. current — electric
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. deal — to handle
  16. current — happening now
  17. present — the time now
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. suit — in cards
  20. present — a gift
  21. net — for catching
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. net — in sport
  24. present — there

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