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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. content — videos and posts
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. mug — a face
  7. ball — a great time
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. board — a committee
  11. board — to get on
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. mug — a cup
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. mug — to rob
  16. content — happy
  17. pit — a hole
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. ball — a dance
  22. content — the amount
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. ruler — for measuring

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