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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 black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  6. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  23. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  24. There's no middle ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. face — part of the head
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ground — crushed
  6. ground — the earth
  7. mate — to breed
  8. mate — a partner
  9. fine — high quality
  10. mate — a friend
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. bear — the animal
  15. face — to point toward
  16. hand — help
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. bulb — for light
  19. fine — all right
  20. bulb — for light
  21. face — to confront
  22. hand — in cards
  23. hand — part of the body
  24. ground — a position

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