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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. craft — boats
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. craft — a skill
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. foot — a measure
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. mark — a grade
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. staff — a stick
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. rush — hurry
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. staff — employees
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. staff — employees
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. wave — with your hand

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