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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.

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: tube · lash · current · pit · leaves · mark · racket · file

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. pit — in a race
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. pit — a hole
  7. file — a tool
  8. mark — a grade
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. current — electric
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. current — of water
  13. tube — a container
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. file — a line of people
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. tube — in a tire
  18. current — happening now
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. racket — a loud noise
  22. mark — a trace
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. tube — the underground

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