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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: mark · bear · file · suit · object · stick · current · track

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. current — of water
  3. file — a document
  4. file — a line of people
  5. bear — the animal
  6. track — to keep track
  7. bear — the animal
  8. suit — to fit
  9. object — a thing
  10. suit — in cards
  11. current — electric
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. file — a tool
  14. mark — a grade
  15. track — a song
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. current — happening now
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. mark — a trace
  21. track — a path
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. suit — clothes
  24. object — to protest

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