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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: bass · lie · ruler · arm · key · root · spell · bore

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bore — to tire
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. spell — letters
  8. root — of a plant
  9. key — in music
  10. lie — to recline
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. bore — to drill
  13. spell — a short time
  14. root — the cause
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. bass — the fish
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. bass — low music
  19. spell — magic
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. key — the most important part
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. root — of a word

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