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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 120 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. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. board — to get on
  4. tube — a container
  5. object — a thing
  6. row — to paddle
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. object — to protest
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. deal — to handle
  16. board — a committee
  17. object — an aim
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. tube — the underground
  21. row — a line
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. row — a quarrel

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