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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  4. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. dip — to sink
  3. band — a ring
  4. wound — an injury
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. suit — to fit
  7. band — a rubber band
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. band — a music group
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. suit — clothes
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. wound — past of 'wind'
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. perch — the fish
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. wound — an injury
  23. suit — in cards
  24. mouse — the animal

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