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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. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. There's no middle ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. field — for sport
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. suit — clothes
  5. ground — a position
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. field — farmland
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. firm — steady
  10. ground — crushed
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. suit — in cards
  13. suit — to fit
  14. stand — to bear
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — for light
  18. firm — a company
  19. ground — the earth
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. field — a subject
  24. firm — decided

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