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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: bound · current · jam · coach · club · ruler · root · lean

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  17. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. root — of a plant
  5. current — electric
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. current — happening now
  8. root — the cause
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. club — for dancing
  13. root — of a word
  14. bound — obliged
  15. lean — to bend
  16. club — a group
  17. club — for golf
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. bound — certain
  22. bound — tied together
  23. lean — thin
  24. ruler — a monarch

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