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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. That was a fun ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. scale — in music
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. ball — a great time
  6. game — a match
  7. suit — in cards
  8. ball — a dance
  9. scale — size or range
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. suit — to fit
  14. game — wild animals
  15. pit — a hole
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. bore — to drill
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. suit — clothes
  22. pit — in a race
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. bore — to tire

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