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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 want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — a container
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. plane — a tool
  4. tube — in a tire
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. content — the amount
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. vault — a safe
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. vault — an arched ceiling
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. content — happy
  19. tube — the underground
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. content — videos and posts
  23. can — a tin
  24. plane — an aircraft

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