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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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468
Word bank
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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. That was a fun ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  23. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. game — a match
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. pound — to hit hard
  4. mate — a friend
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. toast — bread
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. pound — a weight
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. game — wild animals
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. mate — a partner
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. mate — to breed
  22. game — a kind of play
  23. pound — for dogs
  24. ruler — a monarch

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