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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. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Have you settled on a ________________?
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. suit — clothes
  3. track — a song
  4. date — the fruit
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. key — in music
  9. date — on the calendar
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. track — to keep track
  12. lean — to bend
  13. lean — thin
  14. pop — music
  15. key — for a lock
  16. pop — to visit
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. current — of water
  19. suit — in cards
  20. key — the most important part
  21. track — a path
  22. current — electric
  23. current — happening now
  24. suit — to fit

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