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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 116 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. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  7. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  16. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. face — part of the head
  3. object — an aim
  4. bass — the fish
  5. object — to protest
  6. bass — the instrument
  7. face — to confront
  8. mug — a face
  9. can — a tin
  10. row — a line
  11. face — to point toward
  12. can — a tin
  13. shower — to wash
  14. mug — to rob
  15. shower — rain
  16. row — to paddle
  17. can — to be able to
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. mug — a cup
  21. object — a thing
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. bass — low music

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