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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. False peace will not ________________.
  9. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. dip — to sink
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. last — to go on
  9. ground — the earth
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. foot — a measure
  12. last — final
  13. last — finally
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. ground — crushed
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. ground — a position
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. rock — a stone
  23. rock — music
  24. rock — to move gently

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