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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. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. tube — a container
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bound — certain
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. bound — obliged
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. tube — the underground
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. bound — tied together
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. stem — to come from
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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