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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. False peace will not ________________.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. bank — of a river
  4. last — to go on
  5. key — for a lock
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. key — in music
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. bank — for money
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. mate — to breed
  12. lie — to recline
  13. last — finally
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. mate — a partner
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. bank — for money
  19. key — the most important part
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. mate — a friend
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. last — final

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