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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  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. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. rush — hurry
  5. plane — a tool
  6. lean — thin
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. current — electric
  9. current — of water
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. lie — to recline
  13. lean — to bend
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. deal — to handle
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. lie — an untruth

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