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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. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — hurry
  2. bound — certain
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. key — in music
  5. key — for a lock
  6. bound — tied together
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. rest — what's left
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. bound — obliged
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. stand — to bear
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. rest — a break
  21. rest — what's left
  22. key — the most important part
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. stand — for spectators

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