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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. can — to be able to
  4. stand — to bear
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. content — happy
  7. suit — to fit
  8. deal — to handle
  9. content — videos and posts
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. content — the amount
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. suit — clothes
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. row — a line
  17. suit — in cards
  18. can — a tin
  19. saw — the tool
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. saw — the tool
  22. can — a tin
  23. row — to paddle
  24. deal — an agreement

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