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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  20. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. When are we going to ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. current — electric
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. wake — before a funeral
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. wake — to stop sleeping
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. land — a country
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. current — of water
  15. shower — rain
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. shower — to wash
  20. land — ground
  21. current — happening now
  22. wake — a trail
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. land — to come down

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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