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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: firm · can · track · last · roll · perch · rock · object

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. False peace will not ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. We're on a ________________ here.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. rock — a stone
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. rock — music
  5. track — a song
  6. can — a tin
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. can — to be able to
  9. object — an aim
  10. roll — a cake
  11. perch — the fish
  12. last — final
  13. roll — a list
  14. last — finally
  15. can — a tin
  16. object — a thing
  17. object — to protest
  18. firm — decided
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. track — to keep track
  21. last — to go on
  22. firm — a company
  23. roll — on a roll
  24. firm — steady

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