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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. It's one o'clock ________________.
  3. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. The ball is in your ________________.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. sharp — exactly
  3. court — of law
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. board — to get on
  6. sharp — clever
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. court — for sport
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. can — a tin
  13. scale — size or range
  14. can — a tin
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. can — to be able to
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. court — of a king
  21. board — a committee
  22. scale — in music
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. calf — a young animal

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