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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. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  9. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  17. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a lid
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. deal — to handle
  6. firm — steady
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. drill — a practice
  9. cap — a hat
  10. mug — a cup
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. hand — help
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. firm — a company
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. hand — part of the body
  17. drill — the tool
  18. firm — decided
  19. drill — army training
  20. cap — of ice
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. mug — to rob
  23. hand — in cards
  24. mug — a face

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