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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: racket · can · rule · firm · pitcher · arm · jam · mouse

  1. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rule — to rule out
  2. can — a tin
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. rule — government
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. can — a tin
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. firm — steady
  13. rule — a law
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. can — to be able to
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. firm — decided
  24. firm — a company

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