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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  16. The ball is in your ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. present — there
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. present — the time now
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. court — of a king
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. board — a committee
  10. plane — a tool
  11. suit — in cards
  12. lie — to recline
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. suit — clothes
  15. court — of law
  16. court — for sport
  17. board — to get on
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. present — a gift
  20. suit — to fit
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. rock — music
  24. ruler — for measuring

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