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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: fan · ruler · chip · jam · board · roll · bay · vault

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. chip — for betting
  3. board — a committee
  4. board — to get on
  5. chip — to eat
  6. roll — a list
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. roll — a cake
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. vault — in gymnastics
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. vault — a safe

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