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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. stand — to bear
  5. mate — a friend
  6. net — in sport
  7. mate — a partner
  8. ground — the earth
  9. object — a thing
  10. net — for catching
  11. bulb — for light
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. mate — to breed
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. net — after costs
  17. ground — crushed
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. object — to protest
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. ground — a position
  22. object — an aim
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. bulb — for light

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