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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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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: temple · jam · pass · pit · chip · craft · toast · rock

  1. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. craft — a skill
  3. pit — a hole
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. toast — bread
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. craft — boats
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. chip — to eat
  16. pass — a permit
  17. rock — a stone
  18. rock — music
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. craft — a handicraft
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. pit — in a race
  24. chip — for betting

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