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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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. race — the arms race
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ball — a great time
  7. mate — a partner
  8. race — humankind
  9. rock — music
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. race — a contest
  13. bound — certain
  14. staff — employees
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. ball — a dance
  17. staff — employees
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. rock — a stone
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. mate — to breed
  22. bound — obliged
  23. staff — a stick
  24. mate — a friend

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