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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. can — to be able to
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. mark — a trace
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. face — to point toward
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. face — to confront
  14. can — a tin
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. sharp — clever
  17. mark — a grade
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. can — a tin
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. face — part of the head
  24. mouse — the animal

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