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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: track · object · calf · fine · suit · pass · mug · wave

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  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. suit — to fit
  2. track — a path
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. track — a song
  5. fine — high quality
  6. mug — a cup
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. pass — a permit
  9. suit — in cards
  10. suit — clothes
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. mug — a face
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. wave — a sudden rise
  15. object — a thing
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. object — an aim
  18. fine — all right
  19. track — to keep track
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. mug — to rob
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. object — to protest
  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