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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: rush · jam · fine · temple · pop · hide · suit · craft

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. You don't need to ________________ round.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. We're almost out of ________________.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. pop — to visit
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. suit — in cards
  6. craft — a skill
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. fine — all right
  9. pop — soda
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. pop — music
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. suit — clothes
  17. fine — high quality
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. craft — boats
  21. rush — hurry
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. jam — in traffic

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