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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: rash · mug · face · fine · can · jam · fork · bound

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. rash — a series
  3. face — part of the head
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. bound — obliged
  6. bound — certain
  7. can — to be able to
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. rash — hasty
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. can — a tin
  12. fine — high quality
  13. mug — a face
  14. bound — tied together
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. fine — all right
  18. face — to point toward
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. mug — to rob
  21. fork — in a road
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. face — to confront
  24. mug — a cup

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