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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. bulb — for light
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. mark — a trace
  9. charge — a price
  10. trunk — of a car
  11. rash — a series
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. bulb — for light
  15. charge — electricity
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. mark — a grade
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. rash — hasty
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. charge — in control
  24. nail — for a hammer

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