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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. root — the cause
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. sharp — clever
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bound — obliged
  8. pit — in a race
  9. press — newspapers
  10. season — in sport
  11. bound — certain
  12. pit — a hole
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. season — of the year
  15. root — of a plant
  16. root — of a word
  17. dip — to sink
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. press — a publisher
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. bound — tied together
  23. press — to push
  24. ruler — a monarch

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