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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're on a ________________ here.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. wax — to grow
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. key — the most important part
  6. root — of a plant
  7. root — the cause
  8. wax — for sculpting
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. bear — the animal
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. root — of a word
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. net — in sport
  15. bear — the animal
  16. net — for catching
  17. suit — to fit
  18. roll — a cake
  19. net — after costs
  20. key — for a lock
  21. suit — clothes
  22. key — in music
  23. suit — in cards
  24. roll — a list

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