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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: fork · arm · stick · track · spell · bowl · suit · stand

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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. stand — for spectators
  3. track — a song
  4. suit — in cards
  5. track — a path
  6. stand — to bear
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. track — to keep track
  10. spell — a short time
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. suit — to fit
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. suit — clothes
  18. spell — magic
  19. fork — in a road
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. spell — letters
  24. fork — a garden tool

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