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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. can — a tin
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. firm — a company
  5. lie — to recline
  6. track — a path
  7. rash — a series
  8. firm — decided
  9. can — a tin
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. track — a song
  13. can — to be able to
  14. cue — a signal
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. cue — a hint
  17. firm — steady
  18. rash — hasty
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. deal — to handle
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. track — to keep track
  24. cue — for pool

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