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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. prune — to trim
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bore — to tire
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. current — happening now
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. squash — the sport
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. current — of water
  14. bore — to drill
  15. ball — a dance
  16. prune — to trim
  17. ball — a great time
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. squash — to crush
  20. current — electric
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. pass — a permit
  24. lie — to recline

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