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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 116 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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. David sat on the ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. cue — a signal
  4. swing — to play on
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. mine — for digging
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. swing — music
  9. cue — for pool
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. mine — an explosive
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. season — of the year
  20. mine — belonging to me
  21. cue — a hint
  22. season — in sport
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. ruler — a monarch

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