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

Word bank: vault · rest · roll · pass · ruler · toast · jam · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. vault — in gymnastics
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. board — a committee
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. board — to get on
  11. roll — a list
  12. rest — what's left
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. vault — a safe
  16. toast — bread
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. roll — a cake
  20. pass — a permit
  21. rest — what's left
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. rest — a break
  24. jam — in traffic

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