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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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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: rash · foot · wave · mark · wake · nail · current · rock

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. foot — a measure
  5. rash — a series
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. mark — a grade
  8. rock — a stone
  9. current — electric
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. current — of water
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. mark — a trace
  16. rock — music
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. current — happening now
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. wake — to stop sleeping
  23. rash — hasty
  24. wake — a trail

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