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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. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  13. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. pop — music
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. face — to confront
  5. board — to get on
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. cue — a signal
  8. cue — for pool
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. clip — a video
  11. mate — a partner
  12. clip — to cut
  13. face — part of the head
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. face — to point toward
  16. cue — a hint
  17. bore — to tire
  18. mate — to breed
  19. clip — for paper
  20. bore — to drill
  21. board — a committee
  22. mate — a friend
  23. pop — to visit
  24. bore — gave birth

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