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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. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  18. That was a fun ________________.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. march — music
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. patient — calm and waiting
  6. deal — to handle
  7. rock — a stone
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. game — wild animals
  10. scale — size or range
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. game — a kind of play
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. march — the month
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. march — the month
  18. game — a match
  19. scale — in music
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. bulb — for light
  22. rock — music
  23. bulb — for light
  24. deal — an agreement

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