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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. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. lie — to recline
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. rest — what's left
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. rest — what's left
  9. firm — steady
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. game — a kind of play
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. rock — a stone
  15. game — wild animals
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. rush — hurry
  18. rock — music
  19. firm — decided
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. game — a match
  22. firm — a company
  23. rest — a break
  24. rush — to hurry

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