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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mark — a grade
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rash — hasty
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. branch — a division
  10. rock — music
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. pit — a hole
  17. pit — in a race
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. mark — a trace
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. rash — a series
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. pass — a permit

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