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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: track · calf · pitcher · coach · plane · lash · tube · current

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. current — of water
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. current — happening now
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. tube — a container
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. track — to keep track
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. tube — the underground
  15. track — a song
  16. track — a path
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. plane — a tool
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. current — electric
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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