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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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  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. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. He is an ace ________________.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. can — a tin
  7. mark — a trace
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. pitcher — in baseball
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. mine — for digging
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. cue — a signal
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. can — to be able to
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. cue — a hint
  20. can — a tin
  21. mark — a grade
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. cue — for pool
  24. pitcher — a jug

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