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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 116 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. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. pass — a permit
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. stand — to bear
  9. row — a quarrel
  10. row — to paddle
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. lie — to recline
  13. row — a line
  14. can — a tin
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. file — a line of people
  19. file — a tool
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. can — a tin
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. file — a document
  24. can — to be able to

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