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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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. David sat on the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. swing — in golf
  3. rash — a series
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. staff — a stick
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. staff — employees
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. staff — employees
  17. rash — hasty
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. swing — to play on

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