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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: track · season · foot · pass · rest · ruler · spell · current

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  21. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. pass — a permit
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. spell — a short time
  6. season — of the year
  7. current — happening now
  8. season — in sport
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. track — a path
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. rest — what's left
  13. current — electric
  14. track — a song
  15. track — to keep track
  16. rest — what's left
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. spell — letters
  19. current — of water
  20. spell — magic
  21. rest — a break
  22. foot — a measure
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. pass — to spend time

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