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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. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. fine — high quality
  4. mate — a partner
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. root — the cause
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. mate — a friend
  10. staff — employees
  11. staff — a stick
  12. root — of a word
  13. mate — to breed
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. season — in sport
  18. deal — to handle
  19. staff — employees
  20. root — of a plant
  21. fine — all right
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. season — of the year
  24. fine — a penalty

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