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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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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 · pass · plane · charge · root · current · object · hand

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. current — electric
  3. charge — a price
  4. charge — in control
  5. track — a path
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. track — to keep track
  8. root — the cause
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. hand — help
  11. object — an aim
  12. object — to protest
  13. hand — part of the body
  14. current — of water
  15. charge — electricity
  16. object — a thing
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. track — a song
  19. hand — in cards
  20. root — of a plant
  21. current — happening now
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. plane — a tool
  24. pass — a permit

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