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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 ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. can — a tin
  6. present — the time now
  7. rock — music
  8. rock — a stone
  9. can — to be able to
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. can — a tin
  13. last — final
  14. tube — the underground
  15. bulb — for light
  16. lie — to recline
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. tube — a container
  19. bulb — for light
  20. present — a gift
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. last — finally
  23. last — to go on
  24. present — there

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