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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  6. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The ball is in your ________________.
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. mark — a trace
  3. dip — to sink
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. court — of a king
  6. hand — part of the body
  7. rash — hasty
  8. mark — a grade
  9. hand — help
  10. court — of law
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. hand — in cards
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. rash — a series
  15. pit — a hole
  16. key — in music
  17. key — for a lock
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. key — the most important part
  23. court — for sport
  24. dip — a sauce

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