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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. When are we going to ________________?
  22. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. deal — to handle
  4. net — in sport
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. roll — a cake
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. net — for catching
  9. net — after costs
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. bear — the animal
  13. land — ground
  14. roll — a list
  15. wake — before a funeral
  16. fine — all right
  17. land — a country
  18. wake — a trail
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. bear — the animal
  21. land — to come down
  22. wake — to stop sleeping
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. fine — high quality

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