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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 120 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: object · nail · mug · rock · arm · current · rush · spring

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. object — a thing
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. current — electric
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. current — of water
  7. spring — the season
  8. rock — a stone
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. mug — a cup
  11. rush — hurry
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. mug — to rob
  16. spring — a coil
  17. object — an aim
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. mug — a face
  20. current — happening now
  21. spring — of water
  22. object — to protest
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. rock — music

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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