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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  8. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  9. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  12. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  24. David sat on the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ball — a dance
  3. staff — a stick
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. wound — an injury
  7. nail — on a finger
  8. staff — employees
  9. wound — an injury
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. stem — a stem cell
  12. swing — in golf
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. swing — music
  17. staff — employees
  18. ball — a great time
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. stem — to come from
  23. wound — past of 'wind'
  24. swing — to play on

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