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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 116 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. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  10. You don't need to ________________ round.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  14. That was a fun ________________.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. game — wild animals
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. spring — of water
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. pop — music
  10. pop — to visit
  11. bulb — for light
  12. pit — a hole
  13. spring — a coil
  14. game — a match
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. suit — clothes
  17. spring — the season
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. game — a kind of play
  20. suit — in cards
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. bulb — for light
  23. pit — in a race
  24. suit — to fit

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