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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: present · suit · wax · dip · ruler · file · track · press

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  10. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. dip — to sink
  3. present — the time now
  4. file — a document
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. track — a path
  7. suit — to fit
  8. track — to keep track
  9. present — there
  10. press — a publisher
  11. press — newspapers
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. suit — clothes
  14. press — to push
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. present — a gift
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. suit — in cards
  19. track — a song
  20. file — a tool
  21. wax — to grow
  22. file — a line of people
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. wax — for sculpting

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