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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. craft — boats
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. suit — clothes
  5. bound — certain
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. key — the most important part
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. rock — a stone
  10. bound — obliged
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. key — for a lock
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. suit — to fit
  15. craft — a skill
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. bound — tied together
  19. key — in music
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. suit — in cards
  23. rock — music
  24. arm — part of the body

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