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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bound — tied together
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. bound — obliged
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. toast — bread
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. current — electric
  13. current — happening now
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. mine — for digging
  21. rock — music
  22. rock — a stone
  23. current — of water
  24. bound — certain

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