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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: rash · safe · track · last · cap · ruler · current · jam

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. False peace will not ________________.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  23. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. track — a path
  4. last — to go on
  5. rash — a series
  6. rash — hasty
  7. cap — a lid
  8. current — of water
  9. track — a song
  10. current — electric
  11. last — finally
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. cap — a hat
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. track — to keep track
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. last — final
  23. cap — of ice
  24. safe — out of danger

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