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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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. squash — the sport
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. squash — the vegetable
  6. season — in sport
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. pit — a hole
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. bulb — for light
  12. rock — music
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. pit — in a race
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. rock — a stone
  17. bulb — for light
  18. branch — a division
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. squash — to crush
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. season — of the year

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