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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: can · pitch · file · arm · key · ruler · spell · dip

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. can — a tin
  6. file — a line of people
  7. dip — to sink
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. pitch — a sales talk
  10. can — a tin
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. key — for a lock
  15. spell — a short time
  16. key — in music
  17. pitch — completely
  18. spell — magic
  19. key — the most important part
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. file — a tool
  22. spell — letters
  23. file — a document
  24. can — to be able to

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