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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 · mug · saw · can · staff · shower · date · jam

  1. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. mug — a cup
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. shower — a meteor shower
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. saw — the tool
  8. mug — a face
  9. shower — to wash
  10. staff — employees
  11. can — a tin
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. can — a tin
  14. shower — rain
  15. mug — to rob
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. can — to be able to
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. staff — a stick
  22. staff — employees
  23. date — the fruit
  24. saw — the tool

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