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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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  4. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. straw — dry grass
  4. straw — a straw man
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. bulb — for light
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. swing — in golf
  12. bulb — for light
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. swing — to play on
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. fine — all right
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. straw — to clutch at straws
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. plane — a tool
  24. fine — high quality

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