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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.

Make a worksheet

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: jam · nail · key · lash · mate · mouse · temple · rush

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. key — for a lock
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. key — the most important part
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. rush — hurry
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. key — in music
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. mate — to breed
  19. mate — a friend
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. mate — a partner
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. temple — a place of worship

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