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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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. suit — in cards
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. mark — a trace
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. drill — army training
  7. hand — part of the body
  8. hand — in cards
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. suit — clothes
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. drill — a practice
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. drill — the tool
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. hand — help
  21. foot — a measure
  22. mark — a grade
  23. suit — to fit
  24. ruler — a monarch

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