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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: wake · mug · toast · object · sharp · ruler · present · cap

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  3. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  4. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  14. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  15. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  16. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  17. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. present — the time now
  3. wake — before a funeral
  4. cap — a hat
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. present — there
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. object — a thing
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. object — to protest
  13. wake — a trail
  14. present — a gift
  15. sharp — clever
  16. cap — of ice
  17. cap — a lid
  18. mug — a face
  19. object — an aim
  20. mug — a cup
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. mug — to rob
  24. toast — bread

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