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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: current · bank · roll · track · fan · mug · bore · staff

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. track — to keep track
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. current — of water
  5. current — electric
  6. staff — a stick
  7. mug — a face
  8. roll — a cake
  9. staff — employees
  10. mug — to rob
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. track — a path
  13. track — a song
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. mug — a cup
  16. roll — a list
  17. current — happening now
  18. staff — employees
  19. bank — for money
  20. bank — of a river
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. bore — to tire
  24. bank — for money

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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