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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 120 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
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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: arm · ruler · season · wave · fine · squash · mark · pop

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. We're almost out of ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. pop — soda
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. mark — a trace
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. fine — high quality
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. fine — all right
  16. season — of the year
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. squash — to crush
  20. squash — the sport
  21. mark — a grade
  22. season — in sport
  23. pop — to visit
  24. pop — 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