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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 116 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. How do you ________________ your surname?
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. spell — letters
  3. vault — a safe
  4. deal — to handle
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. current — happening now
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. current — electric
  13. bulb — for light
  14. current — of water
  15. spell — a short time
  16. vault — in gymnastics
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. spell — magic
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. bulb — for light
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. deal — a big deal

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