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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. cue — a hint
  4. season — of the year
  5. mug — a cup
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. spell — magic
  12. cue — for pool
  13. spell — a short time
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. season — in sport
  18. mug — to rob
  19. track — a path
  20. spell — letters
  21. track — a song
  22. track — to keep track
  23. mug — a face
  24. cue — a signal

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