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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: swing · staff · pitcher · ruler · bulb · coach · mine · snap

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bulb — for light
  3. bulb — for light
  4. swing — in golf
  5. snap — to click
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. swing — music
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. mine — an explosive
  14. staff — a stick
  15. mine — for digging
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. staff — employees
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. swing — to play on
  22. mine — belonging to me
  23. staff — employees
  24. bulb — of a plant

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