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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. charge — in control
  3. charge — a price
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. lean — thin
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. charge — electricity
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. lean — to bend
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. bass — low music
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. wax — to grow
  22. bass — the fish
  23. lie — to recline
  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