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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: charge · rash · face · deal · ruler · straw · cabinet · cue

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. Don't do anything ________________.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. straw — to clutch at straws
  3. face — to confront
  4. rash — hasty
  5. rash — a series
  6. cue — a signal
  7. charge — in control
  8. cue — for pool
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. straw — dry grass
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. cue — a hint
  15. straw — a straw man
  16. charge — electricity
  17. deal — to handle
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. charge — a price
  21. face — part of the head
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. face — to point toward
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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