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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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  10. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. saw — the tool
  3. nail — on a finger
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. rule — a law
  6. saw — the tool
  7. suit — in cards
  8. track — a path
  9. rule — to rule out
  10. rule — government
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. suit — to fit
  14. deal — to handle
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. track — to keep track
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. track — a song
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. suit — clothes

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