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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. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.

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

Answer key

  1. face — part of the head
  2. drill — the tool
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. bulb — for light
  5. rest — what's left
  6. bulb — for light
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. wound — an injury
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. rest — what's left
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. face — to confront
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. drill — a practice
  18. face — to point toward
  19. rest — a break
  20. wound — past of 'wind'
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. wound — an injury
  24. drill — army training

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