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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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. press — to push
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cue — for pool
  6. plane — a tool
  7. root — of a word
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. bore — to drill
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. root — the cause
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. press — a publisher
  18. cue — a hint
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. root — of a plant
  22. bore — to tire
  23. press — newspapers
  24. cue — a signal

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