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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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lie — to recline
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. firm — steady
  5. root — the cause
  6. firm — a company
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. staff — employees
  9. current — electric
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. staff — employees
  12. root — of a plant
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. current — happening now
  15. current — of water
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. rock — music
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. staff — a stick
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. firm — decided
  23. root — of a word
  24. rock — a stone

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