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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: cap · squash · jam · pass · rash · mug · safe · mark

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. squash — the sport
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. cap — of ice
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mark — a trace
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. cap — a hat
  13. squash — to crush
  14. mug — to rob
  15. pass — a permit
  16. mark — a grade
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. mug — a cup
  19. rash — hasty
  20. cap — a lid
  21. rash — a series
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. mug — a face

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