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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. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. rush — hurry
  4. chip — to eat
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. deal — to handle
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. plane — a tool
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. fine — all right
  13. snap — to click
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. chip — for betting
  22. fine — high quality
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. pass — a permit

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