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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: can · track · wake · season · suit · board · lash · rock

  1. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. wake — to stop sleeping
  2. track — a song
  3. season — of the year
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. suit — in cards
  6. wake — before a funeral
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. rock — a stone
  10. season — in sport
  11. suit — clothes
  12. suit — to fit
  13. track — to keep track
  14. board — a committee
  15. rock — music
  16. can — a tin
  17. board — to get on
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. can — a tin
  20. wake — a trail
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. track — a path
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. can — to be able to

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