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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 · track · jam · branch · leaves · ruler · pitch · safe

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. pitch — a sales talk
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. mark — a grade
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. track — a path
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. pitch — completely
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. branch — a division
  23. mark — a trace
  24. track — to keep track

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