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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 116 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
468
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 · hand · pitch · trunk · nail · mouse · bay · pass

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mug — a cup
  9. hand — help
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. hand — in cards
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. mug — to rob
  14. pitch — completely
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. pass — a permit
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. mug — a face

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