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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. drill — army training
  3. plane — a tool
  4. track — a song
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. track — to keep track
  7. track — a path
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. current — electric
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. pop — music
  13. drill — a practice
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. pop — to visit
  16. drill — the tool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. pop — soda
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. current — of water
  23. stand — to bear
  24. plane — an aircraft

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