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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 120 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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. cue — a hint
  6. firm — decided
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. cue — a signal
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. suit — in cards
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. firm — steady
  18. cue — for pool
  19. lie — to recline
  20. content — the amount
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. suit — to fit
  23. firm — a company
  24. content — happy

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