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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  14. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. pit — in a race
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. can — to be able to
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. fall — to drop
  14. fall — the season
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. plane — a tool
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. fall — to drop
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. stand — to bear
  22. can — a tin
  23. pit — a hole
  24. jam — a tight spot

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