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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. net — in sport
  5. bound — tied together
  6. suit — to fit
  7. prune — to trim
  8. suit — in cards
  9. net — after costs
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bound — certain
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. bound — obliged
  15. net — for catching
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. suit — clothes
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. rush — hurry
  24. prune — to trim

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