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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: nail · track · pound · press · suit · bowl · rock · key

  1. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  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. pound — a weight
  2. press — to push
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. track — a path
  5. track — to keep track
  6. suit — clothes
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. suit — in cards
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. press — a publisher
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. rock — a stone
  14. suit — to fit
  15. pound — for dogs
  16. key — the most important part
  17. track — a song
  18. key — in music
  19. press — newspapers
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. key — for a lock
  23. pound — to hit hard
  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