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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: mug · mark · stick · jam · safe · sharp · staff · can

  1. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. staff — employees
  9. mug — a cup
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. mug — to rob
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. sharp — clever
  15. mark — a grade
  16. can — a tin
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. can — a tin
  20. staff — a stick
  21. can — to be able to
  22. staff — employees
  23. mark — a trace
  24. mug — a face

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