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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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. key — the most important part
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. track — a path
  8. object — an aim
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. track — a song
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. track — to keep track
  14. wind — moving air
  15. rock — a stone
  16. key — for a lock
  17. key — in music
  18. wind — to turn a key
  19. rock — music
  20. stand — to bear
  21. wind — moving air
  22. object — to protest
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. object — a thing

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