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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. mine — an explosive
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. row — a line
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. can — to be able to
  10. bulb — for light
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. row — to paddle
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. can — a tin
  16. mine — for digging
  17. bulb — for light
  18. can — a tin
  19. perch — the fish
  20. mark — a grade
  21. mark — a trace
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. row — a quarrel
  24. cabinet — ministers

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