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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. When was this ________________ built?
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  5. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. club — for golf
  4. club — for dancing
  5. squash — to crush
  6. squash — the sport
  7. rash — a series
  8. ball — a dance
  9. charge — a price
  10. ball — a great time
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. can — to be able to
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. charge — in control
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. rash — hasty
  19. club — a group
  20. can — a tin
  21. charge — electricity
  22. can — a tin
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. squash — the vegetable

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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