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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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. How do you ________________ your surname?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. suit — in cards
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. mate — to breed
  6. spell — a short time
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. spell — letters
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. lie — to recline
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. suit — clothes
  16. mate — a partner
  17. suit — to fit
  18. mate — a friend
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. spell — magic
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. wave — with your hand

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