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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: object · mouse · suit · jam · dip · nail · roll · tube

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. We're on a ________________ here.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. tube — the underground
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. roll — on a roll
  7. suit — clothes
  8. roll — a list
  9. object — a thing
  10. object — to protest
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. tube — a container
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. object — an aim
  21. roll — a cake
  22. suit — in cards
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. suit — to fit

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