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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: rush · nail · perch · jam · safe · cap · lie · cell

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  5. He was locked up in a ________________.
  6. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. The polar ice ________________ is melting.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. cell — in biology
  5. cell — in a prison
  6. cell — a phone
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. cap — a lid
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. lie — to recline
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. rush — hurry
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. cap — a hat
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. cap — of ice

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