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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  11. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. foot — a measure
  3. press — newspapers
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. perch — the fish
  6. press — a publisher
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. press — to push
  9. root — of a plant
  10. shower — to wash
  11. shower — a meteor shower
  12. root — of a word
  13. shower — rain
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. root — the cause
  18. saw — the tool
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. saw — the tool

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