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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: vault · shower · cabinet · press · jam · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. press — newspapers
  3. shower — to wash
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. press — to push
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. shower — rain
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. vault — a safe
  13. press — a publisher
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. shower — a meteor shower

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