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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: drill · nail · hide · charge · bear · racket · jam · toast

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. bear — the animal
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. drill — the tool
  11. charge — in control
  12. drill — a practice
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. bear — the animal
  16. charge — electricity
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. charge — a price
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. drill — army training
  22. toast — bread
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. racket — a loud noise

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