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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. lean — to bend
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. ground — a position
  7. track — a song
  8. current — of water
  9. plane — a tool
  10. ground — the earth
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. current — electric
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. track — a path
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. object — to protest
  17. track — to keep track
  18. sharp — clever
  19. lean — thin
  20. object — a thing
  21. object — an aim
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. ground — crushed
  24. current — happening now

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