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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: mug · bay · cap · jam · can · temple · firm · staff

  1. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mug — to rob
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. cap — a lid
  4. can — to be able to
  5. cap — a hat
  6. can — a tin
  7. staff — a stick
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. cap — of ice
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. firm — decided
  13. mug — a face
  14. can — a tin
  15. mug — a cup
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. firm — a company
  18. staff — employees
  19. staff — employees
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. firm — steady
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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