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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: coach · spell · ruler · jam · lash · hide · vault · deal

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. spell — magic
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. vault — a safe
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. spell — a short time
  23. spell — letters
  24. deal — to handle

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