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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Do you need a ________________ with that?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. mug — a cup
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. hand — part of the body
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mug — a face
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. hand — in cards
  12. scale — size or range
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. scale — in music
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. toast — bread
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. hand — help

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