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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 120 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. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. The ball is in your ________________.
  16. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. When are we going to ________________?
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. court — of a king
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. land — a country
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. object — an aim
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. scale — in music
  15. court — for sport
  16. court — of law
  17. scale — size or range
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. land — to come down
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. object — to protest
  23. object — a thing
  24. land — ground

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