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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 120 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. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. game — wild animals
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. firm — decided
  4. suit — in cards
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. stand — to bear
  7. firm — a company
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. game — a kind of play
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. firm — steady
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. rush — hurry
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. game — a match
  22. suit — clothes
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. suit — to fit

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