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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 116 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 · sharp · rash · can · nail · firm · safe · stand

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. current — happening now
  3. firm — decided
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. firm — steady
  9. firm — a company
  10. rash — a series
  11. rash — hasty
  12. sharp — clever
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. current — of water
  15. can — to be able to
  16. can — a tin
  17. stand — to bear
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. current — electric
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. sharp — with an edge

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