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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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  16. Have you settled on a ________________?
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. shower — to wash
  5. date — the fruit
  6. shower — rain
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. rock — a stone
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. saw — the tool
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. foot — a measure
  14. rock — music
  15. shower — a meteor shower
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. saw — the tool
  20. toast — bread
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. date — on the calendar

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