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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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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: stick · nail · cabinet · jam · vault · snap · can · wave

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. can — a tin
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. can — to be able to
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. can — a tin
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. vault — a safe
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. snap — to click
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. nail — for a hammer

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