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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. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wound — an injury
  3. key — in music
  4. tube — a container
  5. bound — tied together
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. mark — a grade
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. pass — a permit
  10. bound — obliged
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bound — certain
  14. mark — a trace
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. key — for a lock
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. tube — the underground
  19. bulb — for light
  20. wound — an injury
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. key — the most important part
  24. tube — in a tire

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