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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. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. That was a fun ________________.
  14. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  24. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. saw — the tool
  5. race — the arms race
  6. track — a song
  7. saw — the tool
  8. suit — clothes
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. saw — past of 'see'
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. game — a match
  14. game — wild animals
  15. suit — in cards
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. suit — to fit
  18. track — a path
  19. track — to keep track
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. race — humankind
  24. race — a contest

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