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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. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. drill — a practice
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. prune — to trim
  6. drill — army training
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. rock — music
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. track — to keep track
  16. track — a path
  17. prune — to trim
  18. track — a song
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. drill — the tool
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. lie — to recline
  23. rock — a stone
  24. prune — the fruit

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