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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: arm · key · suit · fan · ruler · jam · track · stand

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. key — the most important part
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. suit — in cards
  9. key — for a lock
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. stand — to bear
  12. track — to keep track
  13. key — in music
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. suit — clothes
  19. suit — to fit
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. track — a path
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. track — a song

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