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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 120 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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. bank — for money
  3. straw — a straw man
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. track — a path
  6. current — happening now
  7. track — to keep track
  8. suit — in cards
  9. straw — dry grass
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. current — electric
  12. straw — to clutch at straws
  13. bank — for money
  14. track — a song
  15. current — of water
  16. net — for catching
  17. net — after costs
  18. suit — clothes
  19. saw — the tool
  20. bank — of a river
  21. suit — to fit
  22. net — in sport
  23. saw — the tool
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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