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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: hide · jam · straw · key · season · temple · nail · wax

  1. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — to clutch at straws
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. straw — a straw man
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. key — the most important part
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. key — in music
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. wax — to grow
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. season — in sport
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. season — of the year
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. key — for a lock
  24. straw — dry grass

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