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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
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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: lie · nail · can · ruler · wound · rock · cap · deal

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. can — a tin
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. can — to be able to
  5. rock — a stone
  6. cap — a lid
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. wound — past of 'wind'
  9. can — a tin
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. cap — a hat
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. cap — of ice
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. wound — an injury
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. wound — an injury
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. deal — to handle
  22. rock — music
  23. lie — to recline
  24. nail — on a finger

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