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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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  17. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. cap — of ice
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. suit — clothes
  6. cap — a lid
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. board — to get on
  9. suit — in cards
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. toast — bread
  16. pound — to hit hard
  17. pound — for dogs
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. cap — a hat
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. board — a committee
  23. pound — a weight
  24. bowl — a football final

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