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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. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  4. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  10. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. cap — a hat
  4. cap — of ice
  5. bulb — for light
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. pitch — completely
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. cap — a lid
  10. pitch — a sales talk
  11. pit — a hole
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. bulb — for light
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. pit — in a race
  21. scale — size or range
  22. scale — in music
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. toast — bread

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