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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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. David sat on the ________________.
  3. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  4. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. swing — to play on
  3. swing — in golf
  4. swing — music
  5. bound — obliged
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. net — for catching
  9. rush — hurry
  10. net — in sport
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. firm — a company
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. bound — tied together
  16. plane — a tool
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. firm — decided
  19. season — in sport
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. season — of the year
  22. firm — steady
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. net — after costs

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