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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. net — in sport
  5. fine — all right
  6. net — after costs
  7. rush — hurry
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. perch — the fish
  13. rock — a stone
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. lie — to recline
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. rock — music
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. fine — high quality
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. net — for catching

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