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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. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  17. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. prune — the fruit
  3. mug — to rob
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. prune — to trim
  6. squash — the sport
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. mug — a face
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. ball — a great time
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. mug — a cup
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. suit — to fit
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. squash — the vegetable
  17. squash — to crush
  18. prune — to trim
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. ball — a dance
  21. suit — clothes
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. toast — bread
  24. suit — in cards

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