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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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Word bank
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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. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  2. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  3. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  17. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. pitch — a sports field
  3. pitch — a sales talk
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. pitch — completely
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. rest — a break
  17. rest — what's left
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. plane — a tool
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. plane — in geometry

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