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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: track · mouse · spell · current · fan · key · suit · racket

  1. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. spell — a short time
  3. key — for a lock
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. track — to keep track
  6. current — of water
  7. key — in music
  8. suit — to fit
  9. suit — clothes
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. suit — in cards
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. track — a song
  16. key — the most important part
  17. track — a path
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. current — electric
  22. spell — letters
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. current — happening now

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