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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: squash · key · bulb · hide · ruler · last · cabinet · lie

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  10. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bulb — for light
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. last — to go on
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. last — final
  10. squash — the vegetable
  11. lie — to recline
  12. bulb — for light
  13. squash — the sport
  14. key — in music
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. squash — to crush
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. key — for a lock
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. key — the most important part
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. last — finally
  24. hide — to keep secret

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