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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: ruler · tube · dip · face · squash · jam · lean · can

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  16. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  17. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  18. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. can — a tin
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. face — to confront
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. face — part of the head
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. can — to be able to
  13. tube — the underground
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. dip — a sauce
  16. squash — the sport
  17. squash — to crush
  18. face — to point toward
  19. dip — to sink
  20. can — a tin
  21. tube — a container
  22. lean — to bend
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. lean — thin

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