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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. rash — a series
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. net — for catching
  9. fine — high quality
  10. cap — a lid
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. net — in sport
  14. key — in music
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. key — for a lock
  17. rash — hasty
  18. key — the most important part
  19. net — after costs
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. cap — of ice
  23. cap — a hat
  24. fine — all right

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