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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. saw — the tool
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. plane — a tool
  5. chip — to eat
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. season — of the year
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. season — in sport
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. chip — for betting
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. saw — the tool

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