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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. bound — obliged
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. row — to paddle
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. bound — tied together
  7. row — a line
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. mug — a face
  10. fine — high quality
  11. current — happening now
  12. bound — certain
  13. fine — all right
  14. mug — to rob
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. mug — a cup
  17. row — a quarrel
  18. key — in music
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. key — for a lock
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. current — electric
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. key — the most important part

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