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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. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  13. There's no middle ________________.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. We're on a ________________ here.
  20. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  23. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ground — the earth
  4. row — to paddle
  5. row — a line
  6. suit — in cards
  7. suit — clothes
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. roll — a cake
  11. suit — to fit
  12. straw — to clutch at straws
  13. ground — a position
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. ground — crushed
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. lie — to recline
  19. roll — on a roll
  20. straw — a straw man
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. branch — of a bank
  23. straw — dry grass
  24. roll — a list

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