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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. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. rush — hurry
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. current — happening now
  6. stock — shares
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. stock — goods
  10. current — electric
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. bore — to tire
  15. ball — a great time
  16. ball — a dance
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. board — a committee
  19. current — of water
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. board — to get on
  22. bore — to drill
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. ball — a round shape

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