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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 116 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: file · current · net · nail · suit · plane · can · track

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  7. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  8. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  23. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. track — a path
  4. can — a tin
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. net — after costs
  7. file — a tool
  8. file — a document
  9. suit — clothes
  10. current — of water
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — in cards
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. suit — to fit
  15. plane — a tool
  16. track — to keep track
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. file — a line of people
  19. can — to be able to
  20. net — for catching
  21. current — happening now
  22. track — a song
  23. net — in sport
  24. nail — for a hammer

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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