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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 ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. That was a fun ________________.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. lie — to recline
  3. rest — what's left
  4. dip — to sink
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. current — of water
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. game — wild animals
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. current — happening now
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. current — electric
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. game — a match
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. rest — a break

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