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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 116 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. There's no middle ________________.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The ________________ market has crashed.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — a position
  2. ground — the earth
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. fork — a garden tool
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. fork — to eat with
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. rock — music
  10. rock — a stone
  11. suit — to fit
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. fork — in a road
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. stock — shares
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. suit — clothes
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. ground — crushed
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. suit — in cards
  22. stock — goods
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. pitcher — a jug

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