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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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. board — a committee
  5. rest — a break
  6. rock — music
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. rest — what's left
  10. chip — for betting
  11. wax — to grow
  12. mark — a trace
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. rest — what's left
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. season — in sport
  18. mark — a grade
  19. season — of the year
  20. rock — a stone
  21. chip — to eat
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. board — to get on

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