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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 took the fish out of the ________________.
  2. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  8. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. net — for catching
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. snap — to click
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. key — the most important part
  7. net — after costs
  8. snap — to speak sharply
  9. key — in music
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. net — in sport
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. key — for a lock
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. temple — side of the head

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