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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 120 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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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: race · can · mine · track · rush · ruler · squash · fine

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  4. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  5. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  13. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. squash — the sport
  4. race — the arms race
  5. race — humankind
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. track — a song
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. fine — high quality
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. mine — an explosive
  13. squash — the vegetable
  14. track — a path
  15. can — a tin
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. fine — all right
  19. rush — hurry
  20. mine — for digging
  21. squash — to crush
  22. track — to keep track
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. race — a contest

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