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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: swing · cap · ruler · ball · key · mate · bay · dip

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  5. David sat on the ________________.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. swing — in golf
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. cap — of ice
  5. swing — to play on
  6. mate — to breed
  7. ball — a great time
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. key — for a lock
  10. cap — a lid
  11. dip — to sink
  12. mate — a partner
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. key — the most important part
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. ball — a dance
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. mate — a friend
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. cap — a hat
  24. swing — music

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