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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. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. track — a song
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — a tool
  6. current — of water
  7. suit — in cards
  8. current — electric
  9. press — newspapers
  10. tube — a container
  11. current — happening now
  12. press — a publisher
  13. tube — the underground
  14. suit — to fit
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. press — to push
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. suit — clothes
  22. track — a path
  23. track — to keep track
  24. safe — out of danger

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