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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: deal · rush · suit · toast · lean · firm · fork · nail

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. firm — a company
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. fork — in a road
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. deal — to handle
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. suit — to fit
  13. lean — thin
  14. lean — to bend
  15. suit — in cards
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. rush — hurry
  18. suit — clothes
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. firm — steady
  22. toast — bread
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. firm — decided

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