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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 120 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. field — a subject
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. mark — a trace
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. plane — a tool
  8. saw — the tool
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. saw — the tool
  12. mark — a grade
  13. season — in sport
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. stick — to attach or keep to
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. field — for sport
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. season — of the year
  24. field — farmland

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