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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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. How do you ________________ your surname?
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. spell — a short time
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. spell — letters
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. row — to paddle
  7. row — a quarrel
  8. hand — in cards
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. spell — magic
  11. hand — part of the body
  12. firm — steady
  13. saw — the tool
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. rock — music
  16. hand — help
  17. firm — decided
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. row — a line
  21. saw — the tool
  22. rock — a stone
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. firm — a company

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