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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. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. key — for a lock
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. mark — a grade
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. hand — help
  10. key — the most important part
  11. file — a tool
  12. file — a line of people
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. mark — a trace
  15. key — in music
  16. pit — in a race
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. hand — in cards
  21. pit — a hole
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. hand — part of the body

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