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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. key — in music
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. can — to be able to
  8. can — a tin
  9. mug — to rob
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. key — for a lock
  14. can — a tin
  15. mug — a cup
  16. wound — an injury
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. wound — an injury
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. key — the most important part
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. mug — a face

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