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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. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. track — to keep track
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. track — a song
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. deal — to handle
  7. pitch — completely
  8. rock — music
  9. dip — to sink
  10. stock — goods
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. track — a path
  13. stand — to bear
  14. rock — a stone
  15. dip — a sauce
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. current — happening now
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. current — electric
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. stock — shares
  24. current — of water

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