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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 120 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 captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. board — to get on
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. wound — an injury
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. wound — an injury
  9. key — the most important part
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. tube — the underground
  14. key — for a lock
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. ball — a dance
  18. tube — a container
  19. key — in music
  20. board — a committee
  21. ball — a great time
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. deal — to handle

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