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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: mug · key · object · wound · nail · leaves · arm · mark

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. My father caught me by the ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. object — an aim
  4. mug — a cup
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. key — the most important part
  9. mug — a face
  10. key — for a lock
  11. mark — a grade
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. object — a thing
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. wound — an injury
  17. key — in music
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. wound — an injury
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. mug — to rob
  23. wound — past of 'wind'
  24. object — to protest

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