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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. cue — for pool
  3. saw — the tool
  4. cue — a signal
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. spring — the season
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. saw — the tool
  9. pit — a hole
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. spring — a coil
  12. can — a tin
  13. spring — of water
  14. can — to be able to
  15. rest — what's left
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. rest — a break
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. rest — what's left
  22. cue — a hint
  23. pit — in a race
  24. saw — past of 'see'

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