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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. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. face — to point toward
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. ground — the earth
  5. ground — crushed
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. saw — the tool
  10. wake — to stop sleeping
  11. can — a tin
  12. can — a tin
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. face — part of the head
  15. saw — the tool
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. ground — a position
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. fine — all right
  21. face — to confront
  22. wake — a trail
  23. can — to be able to
  24. fine — high quality

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