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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. spell — a short time
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. root — of a word
  5. mark — a grade
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. key — the most important part
  9. root — of a plant
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. root — the cause
  12. key — for a lock
  13. spell — magic
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. object — an aim
  17. object — a thing
  18. key — in music
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. spell — letters
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. object — to protest
  24. mark — a trace

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