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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  8. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bank — for money
  3. track — a song
  4. track — a path
  5. press — newspapers
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. club — for golf
  8. club — a group
  9. can — a tin
  10. game — wild animals
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. track — to keep track
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. bank — for money
  15. game — a match
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. game — a kind of play
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. bank — of a river
  21. press — to push
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. club — for dancing
  24. press — a publisher

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