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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: bay · ruler · pitcher · swing · cap · dip · stand · jam

  1. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. David sat on the ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  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. cap — of ice
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. dip — to sink
  4. cap — a lid
  5. swing — to play on
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. stand — to bear
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. swing — in golf
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. jam — in traffic
  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