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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 dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. net — for catching
  4. suit — in cards
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. key — for a lock
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. suit — to fit
  9. track — to keep track
  10. net — after costs
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. net — in sport
  13. track — a song
  14. shower — rain
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. key — in music
  20. track — a path
  21. suit — clothes
  22. key — the most important part
  23. shower — to wash
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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