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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 people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  12. The ball is in your ________________.
  13. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  16. David sat on the ________________.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. swing — in golf
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. band — a ring
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. court — of law
  12. court — for sport
  13. band — a rubber band
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. band — a music group
  16. swing — to play on
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. court — of a king
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. bay — a horse colour

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