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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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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. stand — to bear
  5. plane — a tool
  6. branch — a division
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. spell — magic
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. spell — a short time
  12. rock — a stone
  13. spell — letters
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. rock — music
  19. mark — a trace
  20. rash — a series
  21. mark — a grade
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. rash — hasty

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