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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bound — tied together
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. bound — certain
  11. cue — a hint
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. lie — to recline
  14. cue — a signal
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. toast — bread
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. cue — for pool
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. rush — hurry
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. bound — obliged
  24. nail — for a hammer

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