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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. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  5. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  6. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  12. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  13. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. present — a gift
  5. present — there
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. can — a tin
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. can — to be able to
  10. bore — to drill
  11. mine — an explosive
  12. object — an aim
  13. present — the time now
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. mine — for digging
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. object — a thing
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. can — a tin
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. object — to protest
  24. bore — to tire

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