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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: nail · suit · stock · roll · mug · vault · prune · jam

  1. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. prune — to trim
  3. mug — a face
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. stock — goods
  6. mug — to rob
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. suit — in cards
  11. mug — a cup
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. roll — a list
  17. roll — a cake
  18. suit — clothes
  19. vault — a safe
  20. stock — shares
  21. suit — to fit
  22. prune — to trim
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. nail — on a finger

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