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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. That was ________________ to happen.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. bound — certain
  3. staff — a stick
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pit — a hole
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. staff — employees
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. bound — tied together
  12. rush — hurry
  13. rock — a stone
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. rock — music
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. staff — employees
  21. bound — obliged
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. toast — bread
  24. rush — to hurry

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