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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 112 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. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. The ball hit the back of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. spring — a coil
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. spring — the season
  10. cue — a signal
  11. pass — a permit
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. net — after costs
  15. rush — hurry
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. net — for catching
  18. cue — a hint
  19. cue — for pool
  20. deal — to handle
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. spring — of water
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. net — in sport

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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