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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 · snap · nail · mug · toast · lash · firm · suit

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. firm — steady
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. snap — to speak sharply
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. suit — clothes
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. suit — to fit
  10. mug — to rob
  11. toast — bread
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. mug — a face
  14. firm — decided
  15. firm — a company
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. snap — to click
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  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