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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. pop — to visit
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. suit — to fit
  8. suit — clothes
  9. suit — in cards
  10. pop — soda
  11. can — to be able to
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. pop — music
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. firm — a company
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. can — a tin
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. firm — decided
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. firm — steady

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