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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  5. charge — in control
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. kid — to tease
  11. plane — a tool
  12. bear — the animal
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. kid — child
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. charge — electricity
  20. charge — a price
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. foot — a measure
  24. bear — the animal

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