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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.

Make a worksheet

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 sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. present — a gift
  4. bass — the fish
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. bark — of a tree
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. can — a tin
  10. bark — a dog's sound
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. can — to be able to
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. present — there
  19. can — a tin
  20. present — the time now
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. bark — to shout
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. bass — low music

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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