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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  4. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  5. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  6. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. When are we going to ________________?
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. root — the cause
  3. tear — from crying
  4. land — a country
  5. tear — to rip
  6. land — ground
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. deal — to handle
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. land — to come down
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. bulb — for light
  15. root — of a word
  16. rash — a series
  17. root — of a plant
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bore — to drill
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. bulb — for light
  22. rash — hasty
  23. bore — to tire
  24. tear — from crying

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