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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 hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  11. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  16. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. current — electric
  4. current — happening now
  5. craft — a skill
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. current — of water
  8. rest — a break
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. chair — a professorship
  11. craft — a handicraft
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. chair — to sit on
  14. bore — to tire
  15. chair — a leader
  16. rest — what's left
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. craft — boats
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. bore — to drill
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. rest — what's left

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