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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ball — a great time
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. rush — hurry
  7. board — to get on
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. lean — thin
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. lean — to bend
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. sharp — clever
  21. ball — a dance
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. pass — a permit
  24. board — a committee

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