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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: press · ruler · bay · jam · nail · dip · rest · rush

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. rest — a break
  7. press — newspapers
  8. press — to push
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. rest — what's left
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. press — a publisher
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. rest — what's left
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. rush — hurry
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. nail — on a finger

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