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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. track — to keep track
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. wave — with your hand
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. mate — a partner
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. track — a path
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. mate — a friend
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. mate — to breed
  22. track — a song
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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