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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 116 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: lie · ruler · fall · pitcher · lash · deal · cue · mark

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. lie — to recline
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. cue — for pool
  5. deal — to handle
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. mark — a grade
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. fall — the season
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. fall — to drop
  16. mark — a trace
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. cue — a hint
  21. cue — a signal
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. fall — to drop
  24. ruler — for measuring

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