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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: mug · key · wax · jam · perch · current · deal · toast

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. key — for a lock
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. key — in music
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. perch — the fish
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. toast — bread
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. key — the most important part
  15. deal — to handle
  16. wax — to grow
  17. current — happening now
  18. current — of water
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. mug — a face
  21. mug — a cup
  22. mug — to rob
  23. current — electric
  24. jam — a tight spot

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