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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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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: suit · rash · tube · ruler · firm · last · rock · key

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. False peace will not ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. tube — the underground
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. firm — steady
  6. key — the most important part
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. key — for a lock
  9. firm — a company
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. suit — clothes
  12. rock — a stone
  13. rash — a series
  14. last — final
  15. tube — a container
  16. suit — in cards
  17. suit — to fit
  18. last — finally
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. key — in music
  22. last — to go on
  23. rash — hasty
  24. rock — music

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