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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. My father caught me by the ________________.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. suit — clothes
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. suit — in cards
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. field — for sport
  9. suit — to fit
  10. can — a tin
  11. object — an aim
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. field — farmland
  16. object — to protest
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. field — a subject
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. deal — to handle
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. object — a thing
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. can — to be able to

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