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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: can · track · hide · rock · jam · ruler · court · deal

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. The ball is in your ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. rock — music
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. court — of law
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. court — of a king
  7. rock — a stone
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. track — to keep track
  10. deal — to handle
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. track — a song
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. can — a tin
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. track — a path
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. can — a tin
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. court — for sport

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