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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. False peace will not ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. He is an ace ________________.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. can — a tin
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. cap — a lid
  5. mug — a cup
  6. can — to be able to
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. last — to go on
  10. can — a tin
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. cap — a hat
  15. last — finally
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pass — a permit
  20. cap — of ice
  21. mug — to rob
  22. mug — a face
  23. pitcher — in baseball
  24. last — final

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