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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. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. wound — an injury
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. wound — past of 'wind'
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. track — a song
  9. bound — tied together
  10. bound — certain
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. season — of the year
  15. bound — obliged
  16. track — a path
  17. season — in sport
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. wound — an injury
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. track — to keep track
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. temple — a place of worship

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