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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 116 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: tube · mug · coach · track · rock · charge · firm · degree

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  3. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. degree — temperature
  3. degree — an amount
  4. mug — to rob
  5. track — to keep track
  6. tube — a container
  7. mug — a cup
  8. track — a song
  9. firm — steady
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. charge — electricity
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. track — a path
  14. charge — in control
  15. firm — a company
  16. degree — from a university
  17. tube — the underground
  18. charge — a price
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. mug — a face
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. firm — decided
  24. rock — music

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