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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: scale · saw · rock · can · racket · track · current · stem

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. track — a path
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. rock — music
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. current — electric
  7. current — of water
  8. track — to keep track
  9. scale — in music
  10. rock — a stone
  11. stem — a stem cell
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. can — a tin
  15. can — to be able to
  16. track — a song
  17. saw — the tool
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. saw — the tool
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. current — happening now
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. stem — to come from
  24. can — a tin

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