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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.

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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: ball · racket · press · lie · nail · club · ruler · mate

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  14. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. mate — a friend
  5. lie — to recline
  6. ball — a great time
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. club — for dancing
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. club — for golf
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. club — a group
  14. racket — a loud noise
  15. ball — a dance
  16. press — newspapers
  17. mate — a partner
  18. press — to push
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. mate — to breed
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. press — a publisher

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