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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. That was a fun ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. We're on a ________________ here.
  10. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.

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

Answer key

  1. game — a match
  2. deal — to handle
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. game — wild animals
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. roll — on a roll
  10. roll — a list
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. stock — goods
  13. roll — a cake
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. key — in music
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. stock — shares
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. key — the most important part
  23. key — for a lock
  24. game — a kind of play

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