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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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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. rash — a series
  3. track — a path
  4. bank — for money
  5. band — a ring
  6. bank — for money
  7. track — to keep track
  8. bank — of a river
  9. fine — all right
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. band — a rubber band
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. suit — to fit
  14. band — a music group
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. track — a song
  18. rash — hasty
  19. fine — high quality
  20. pit — a hole
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. suit — clothes
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. suit — in cards

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