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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.

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: track · bat · ruler · suit · net · mate · deal · tube

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. track — a path
  3. tube — in a tire
  4. suit — in cards
  5. bat — for baseball
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. suit — to fit
  8. mate — a partner
  9. tube — the underground
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. tube — a container
  12. track — to keep track
  13. suit — clothes
  14. mate — to breed
  15. net — in sport
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. bat — in an idiom
  18. net — for catching
  19. mate — a friend
  20. track — a song
  21. bat — the animal
  22. deal — to handle
  23. net — after costs
  24. deal — a big deal

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