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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 120 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. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. drill — the tool
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. season — of the year
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. drill — a practice
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. lean — to bend
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. season — in sport
  21. lean — thin
  22. deal — to handle
  23. drill — army training
  24. lean — to rest against

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