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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. Have you found your soul ________________?
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a partner
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. mate — a friend
  8. rock — music
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. mark — a trace
  12. track — a path
  13. track — a song
  14. rock — a stone
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. track — to keep track
  18. mark — a grade
  19. mate — to breed
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. scale — size or range
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. scale — in music

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