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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 120 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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. When are we going to ________________?
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. That was a fun ________________.
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ball — a great time
  5. mate — a friend
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. mug — to rob
  8. land — a country
  9. can — a tin
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. can — a tin
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. mug — a face
  14. mate — to breed
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. can — to be able to
  17. land — ground
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. mug — a cup
  20. land — to come down
  21. ball — a dance
  22. mate — a partner
  23. game — a match
  24. game — wild animals

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