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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. That was a fun ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  20. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. march — the month
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. pitch — completely
  7. game — a kind of play
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. key — in music
  10. hand — help
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. hand — in cards
  13. march — music
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. game — a match
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. march — the month
  20. game — wild animals
  21. key — for a lock
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. key — the most important part
  24. hand — part of the body

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