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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. David sat on the ________________.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. swing — in golf
  4. root — of a word
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. row — to paddle
  7. root — the cause
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. swing — to play on
  11. perch — the fish
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. swing — music
  17. bore — to drill
  18. row — a line
  19. bore — to tire
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. lie — to recline
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. root — of a plant
  24. ruler — for measuring

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