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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: can · jam · bulb · rush · key · saw · lean · craft

  1. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. craft — boats
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. bulb — for light
  7. key — in music
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. can — a tin
  10. rush — hurry
  11. key — for a lock
  12. lean — thin
  13. saw — the tool
  14. can — to be able to
  15. craft — a handicraft
  16. bulb — for light
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. can — a tin
  19. lean — to bend
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. craft — a skill
  22. saw — the tool
  23. key — the most important part
  24. rush — to hurry

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