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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. cue — a signal
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. fine — high quality
  6. fine — all right
  7. chip — to eat
  8. roll — a list
  9. bore — to tire
  10. pop — soda
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. chip — for betting
  15. pop — music
  16. pop — to visit
  17. roll — a cake
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. cue — for pool
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. cue — a hint
  24. bore — to drill

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