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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 drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. cue — a hint
  7. cue — a signal
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. rock — music
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. cue — for pool
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. trunk — of a tree
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. rock — a stone
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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