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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. swing — in golf
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. rush — hurry
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. pop — soda
  12. roll — a cake
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. pop — music
  15. swing — to play on
  16. swing — music
  17. pop — to visit
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. roll — a list
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. plane — a tool
  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