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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: track · object · date · mate · pound · current · stick · suit

  1. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. Have you settled on a ________________?
  17. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  18. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. track — a path
  4. current — happening now
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. mate — to breed
  7. mate — a partner
  8. object — a thing
  9. suit — clothes
  10. track — a song
  11. track — to keep track
  12. current — of water
  13. date — the fruit
  14. current — electric
  15. object — an aim
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. mate — a friend
  18. pound — for dogs
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. suit — to fit
  21. pound — a weight
  22. suit — in cards
  23. pound — to hit hard
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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