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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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  22. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. chair — to sit on
  9. rest — a break
  10. toast — bread
  11. snap — to speak sharply
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. rest — what's left
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. bear — the animal
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. snap — to click
  20. bear — the animal
  21. chair — a leader
  22. rest — what's left
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. chair — a professorship

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