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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  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. ruler — for measuring
  2. suit — clothes
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. current — happening now
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. row — to paddle
  7. current — electric
  8. mark — a grade
  9. fall — to drop
  10. bound — tied together
  11. suit — in cards
  12. foot — a measure
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. current — of water
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. bound — obliged
  17. mark — a trace
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. fall — the season
  21. row — a line
  22. fall — to drop
  23. bound — certain
  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