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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: suit · fan · arm · cap · jam · ruler · rock · bulb

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. suit — in cards
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. rock — music
  8. rock — a stone
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. suit — clothes
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. bulb — for light
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. cap — of ice
  19. suit — to fit
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. cap — a lid
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. cap — a hat

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