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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. content — the amount
  3. content — videos and posts
  4. suit — clothes
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. net — in sport
  7. can — a tin
  8. wax — in the ear
  9. rash — hasty
  10. content — happy
  11. net — for catching
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. net — after costs
  14. suit — to fit
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. rash — a series
  18. can — to be able to
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. wax — to grow
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. can — a tin
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. suit — in cards

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