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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: jam · firm · lash · bear · board · rock · ruler · rash

  1. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. firm — steady
  3. bear — the animal
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. firm — decided
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. bear — the animal
  12. rash — a series
  13. rock — a stone
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. board — a committee
  17. rock — music
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. rash — hasty
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. firm — a company
  23. board — to get on
  24. rock — to move gently

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