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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: pitcher · pop · jam · staff · current · temple · bay · toast

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. You don't need to ________________ round.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. current — of water
  3. staff — employees
  4. staff — employees
  5. pop — soda
  6. staff — a stick
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. pop — to visit
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. toast — bread
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. pop — music
  23. current — electric
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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