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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. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. rock — music
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. roll — a list
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. rest — a break
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. current — happening now
  12. saw — the tool
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. rest — what's left
  15. rock — a stone
  16. current — of water
  17. toast — bread
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. rest — what's left
  21. saw — the tool
  22. roll — a cake
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. current — electric

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