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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. object — an aim
  3. spell — magic
  4. fine — all right
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. object — a thing
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. sharp — clever
  11. object — to protest
  12. saw — the tool
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. saw — the tool
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. spell — a short time
  19. season — of the year
  20. season — in sport
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. fine — high quality
  23. spell — letters
  24. plane — a tool

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