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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. can — a tin
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. key — for a lock
  6. squash — the sport
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. squash — the vegetable
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. key — in music
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. squash — to crush
  18. can — to be able to
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. bulb — for light
  21. key — the most important part
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. can — a tin

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