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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: craft · foot · suit · mug · plane · mine · jam · deal

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  15. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. suit — clothes
  3. mug — a face
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. suit — in cards
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. plane — a tool
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. mine — for digging
  15. craft — boats
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. mug — a cup
  18. mug — to rob
  19. deal — to handle
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. mine — an explosive
  22. craft — a skill
  23. foot — a measure
  24. suit — to fit

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