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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: lie · suit · bay · ball · pitcher · nail · jam · stick

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. suit — to fit
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. suit — clothes
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. lie — to recline
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. ball — a dance
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. suit — in cards
  23. ball — a great time
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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