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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 116 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. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  21. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. That was a fun ________________.
  24. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. game — a kind of play
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. bound — tied together
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. plane — a tool
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. mark — a trace
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. rash — hasty
  13. bound — certain
  14. squash — to crush
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. mark — a grade
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. squash — the sport
  19. rash — a series
  20. bound — obliged
  21. game — wild animals
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. game — a match
  24. squash — the vegetable

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