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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.

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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.

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: object · row · rush · mouse · ruler · cue · pop · chest

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  23. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. chest — a box
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. cue — a signal
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. pop — soda
  9. chest — of your body
  10. object — to protest
  11. pop — music
  12. rush — hurry
  13. row — a line
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. object — a thing
  16. pop — to visit
  17. row — to paddle
  18. cue — a hint
  19. object — an aim
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. cue — for pool
  22. chest — of your body
  23. row — a quarrel
  24. mouse — the animal

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