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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 116 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. Where did you ________________ them?
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — to rob
  2. net — for catching
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. rest — a break
  6. current — happening now
  7. net — in sport
  8. rest — what's left
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. current — electric
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. mug — a cup
  14. bound — obliged
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. craft — boats
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. current — of water
  19. craft — a skill
  20. bound — tied together
  21. net — after costs
  22. rest — what's left
  23. bound — certain
  24. mug — a face

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