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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: object · fine · spell · face · jam · ruler · bass · club

  1. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. club — for dancing
  2. spell — a short time
  3. club — a group
  4. bass — the fish
  5. club — for golf
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bass — low music
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. spell — magic
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. object — an aim
  12. face — to point toward
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. face — part of the head
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. face — to confront
  19. object — a thing
  20. fine — all right
  21. fine — high quality
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. spell — letters
  24. object — to protest

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