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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. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  6. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  7. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. chair — a leader
  3. suit — in cards
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. present — a gift
  6. branch — of a tree
  7. chair — a professorship
  8. present — there
  9. branch — a division
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. present — the time now
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. suit — to fit
  16. foot — a measure
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. deal — to handle
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. suit — clothes
  22. firm — a company
  23. chair — to sit on
  24. firm — decided

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