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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. can — to be able to
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. content — the amount
  5. suit — in cards
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. can — a tin
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. suit — to fit
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. can — a tin
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. suit — clothes
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. snap — to snap out of it
  18. content — happy
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. snap — to click
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. coach — a trainer

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