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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.

Words on the sheet
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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 · cue · prune · mug · ball · plane · race · lash

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  21. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. plane — a tool
  5. mug — a face
  6. ball — a great time
  7. prune — to trim
  8. prune — to trim
  9. race — a contest
  10. cue — for pool
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. ball — a dance
  14. mug — to rob
  15. race — the arms race
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. mug — a cup
  18. cue — a signal
  19. cue — a hint
  20. prune — the fruit
  21. race — humankind
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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