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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 · swing · bowl · arm · bay · mug · wax · can

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. David sat on the ________________.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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. bowl — a football final
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. can — a tin
  5. mug — a cup
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. can — to be able to
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. mug — a face
  12. wax — to grow
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. swing — music
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. can — a tin
  18. swing — in golf
  19. swing — to play on
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. mug — to rob
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. jam — a tight spot

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