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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. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. wind — to turn a key
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — to be able to
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. foot — a measure
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. wind — moving air
  20. can — a tin
  21. wind — moving air
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. safe — out of danger

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