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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: board · temple · ruler · key · track · bass · foot · deal

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. deal — to handle
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. track — a path
  6. bass — the instrument
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. bass — the fish
  9. key — the most important part
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. key — for a lock
  12. bass — low music
  13. foot — a measure
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. track — to keep track
  17. board — to get on
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. board — a committee
  21. key — in music
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. track — a song
  24. deal — an agreement

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