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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. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  13. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  14. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. race — humankind
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mark — a grade
  4. current — happening now
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. bass — the fish
  7. current — of water
  8. drill — the tool
  9. toast — bread
  10. mark — a trace
  11. drill — a practice
  12. drill — army training
  13. race — the arms race
  14. race — a contest
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. bass — low music
  19. current — electric
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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