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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.

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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: object · lean · suit · rash · firm · wound · track · plane

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  9. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. track — a path
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. track — a song
  5. track — to keep track
  6. firm — steady
  7. firm — a company
  8. wound — past of 'wind'
  9. wound — an injury
  10. object — a thing
  11. suit — clothes
  12. wound — an injury
  13. suit — to fit
  14. plane — a tool
  15. lean — to bend
  16. object — an aim
  17. object — to protest
  18. firm — decided
  19. suit — in cards
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. rash — hasty
  23. lean — thin
  24. lean — to rest against

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