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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 116 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. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  3. The water is too ________________.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Its rival in the ________________ War, the Soviet Union, exploited this at the time.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. I had a bad ________________ and was in bed for a week.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. trunk — of an elephant
  3. cold — not warm
  4. object — to protest
  5. firm — steady
  6. firm — decided
  7. staff — employees
  8. object — an aim
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. cold — the Cold War
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. stand — to bear
  13. staff — a stick
  14. cold — an illness
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. suit — clothes
  17. staff — employees
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. suit — in cards
  20. object — a thing
  21. firm — a company
  22. trunk — of a car
  23. suit — to fit
  24. trunk — of a tree

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