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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. There's no middle ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ground — a position
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. ground — the earth
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. ground — crushed
  12. foot — a measure
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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