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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. prune — to trim
  3. board — to get on
  4. drill — the tool
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. board — a committee
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. cue — for pool
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. cue — a signal
  11. drill — a practice
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. drill — army training
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. prune — the fruit
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. prune — to trim
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. cue — a hint
  24. jam — in traffic

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