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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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. march — the month
  7. rest — what's left
  8. rest — a break
  9. current — happening now
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. current — electric
  12. march — music
  13. scale — size or range
  14. scale — in music
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. rest — what's left
  17. current — of water
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. pass — a permit
  20. lean — thin
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. lean — to bend
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. lean — to rest against

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