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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. My father caught me by the ________________.
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. plane — a tool
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. lie — to recline
  5. cap — a lid
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. cap — a hat
  8. mark — a trace
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. cap — of ice
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. mine — for digging
  13. mark — a grade
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. saw — the tool
  22. saw — the tool
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. mine — belonging to me

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