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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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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: ruler · rock · pass · track · charge · sharp · saw · toast

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. It's one o'clock ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. saw — the tool
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. toast — bread
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. charge — a price
  9. saw — the tool
  10. pass — a permit
  11. charge — electricity
  12. sharp — clever
  13. track — a song
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. charge — in control
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. sharp — exactly
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. rock — music
  21. rock — a stone
  22. track — to keep track
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. pass — to succeed

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