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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 120 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. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  16. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. race — the arms race
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. face — part of the head
  5. squash — to crush
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. face — to point toward
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. bound — obliged
  13. race — a contest
  14. squash — the sport
  15. race — humankind
  16. squash — the vegetable
  17. bound — tied together
  18. bound — certain
  19. pass — a permit
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. face — to confront
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. lash — to lash out
  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