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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. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. David sat on the ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. My father caught me by the ________________.
  19. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. swing — to play on
  4. bulb — for light
  5. rule — to rule out
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. swing — music
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. fine — high quality
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. rule — a law
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. fine — all right
  23. vault — a safe
  24. rule — government

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