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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 124 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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. cue — a signal
  3. pass — a permit
  4. firm — decided
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. spell — magic
  8. spell — a short time
  9. scale — in music
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. cue — for pool
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. cue — a hint
  15. firm — steady
  16. wound — an injury
  17. firm — a company
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. wound — an injury
  20. spell — letters
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. wound — past of 'wind'
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. scale — size or range

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