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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. There's no middle ________________.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  23. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. cap — a lid
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. ground — a position
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. cap — a hat
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. snap — to snap out of it
  10. cap — of ice
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. snap — to speak sharply
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. plane — a tool
  16. ground — crushed
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. ground — the earth
  23. snap — to click
  24. arm — part of the body

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