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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: jam · pop · mug · nail · board · object · spring · cue

  1. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  2. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a flat piece
  2. spring — a coil
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. object — an aim
  5. pop — to visit
  6. spring — of water
  7. spring — the season
  8. cue — for pool
  9. mug — to rob
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. pop — soda
  12. object — to protest
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. object — a thing
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. mug — a face
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. cue — a hint
  19. pop — music
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. cue — a signal
  22. board — to get on
  23. board — a committee
  24. mug — a cup

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