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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 120 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: rush · fan · pass · track · rock · club · nail · key

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  16. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  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. track — a song
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. key — for a lock
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. track — a path
  7. rock — a stone
  8. rush — hurry
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. club — for golf
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. club — for dancing
  16. club — a group
  17. key — in music
  18. key — the most important part
  19. rock — music
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. track — to keep track
  23. nail — on a finger
  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