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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. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. Did you ________________ the button?
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wind — moving air
  3. press — a publisher
  4. press — to push
  5. object — a thing
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. staff — employees
  10. board — a committee
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. object — to protest
  13. wind — moving air
  14. board — to get on
  15. object — an aim
  16. press — newspapers
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. wind — to turn a key
  21. staff — a stick
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. staff — employees
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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