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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. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  13. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. wax — to grow
  7. fine — high quality
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — to be able to
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. wound — an injury
  13. wound — an injury
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. can — a tin
  20. wound — past of 'wind'
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. fine — a penalty

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