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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: toast · leaves · bay · jam · row · ruler · present · lash

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  15. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. row — to paddle
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. toast — bread
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. present — a gift
  15. present — the time now
  16. row — a line
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. present — there
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. row — a quarrel
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. ruler — for measuring

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