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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. Have you found your soul ________________?
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. It's one o'clock ________________.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mate — a partner
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. suit — clothes
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. can — a tin
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. can — a tin
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. sharp — exactly
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. suit — to fit
  16. suit — in cards
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. mate — a friend
  20. dip — to sink
  21. mate — to breed
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. can — to be able to
  24. sharp — clever

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