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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 116 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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. How do you ________________ your surname?
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. spell — letters
  4. spell — a short time
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. wax — to grow
  8. mark — a trace
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. spell — magic
  14. mark — a grade
  15. staff — employees
  16. staff — a stick
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. staff — employees
  23. racket — a loud noise
  24. racket — for tennis

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