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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 farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. patient — calm and waiting
  3. suit — in cards
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. can — a tin
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. can — a tin
  8. press — a publisher
  9. bound — certain
  10. press — newspapers
  11. bound — obliged
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. file — a tool
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. suit — clothes
  19. file — a document
  20. suit — to fit
  21. bound — tied together
  22. file — a line of people
  23. press — to push
  24. can — to be able to

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