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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. scale — size or range
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. scale — in music
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. mine — for digging

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