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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: sharp · net · ruler · suit · craft · mark · hide · race

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. race — a contest
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. net — for catching
  8. mark — a trace
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. race — humankind
  11. mark — a grade
  12. net — in sport
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. net — after costs
  15. suit — in cards
  16. craft — boats
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. craft — a handicraft
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. sharp — clever
  21. race — the arms race
  22. craft — a skill
  23. suit — to fit
  24. suit — clothes

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