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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
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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: sharp · pit · mark · rock · ruler · board · key · game

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. That was a fun ________________.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. It's one o'clock ________________.
  18. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. rock — a stone
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. game — a kind of play
  6. board — to get on
  7. game — a match
  8. rock — music
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. pit — a hole
  11. key — for a lock
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. key — the most important part
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. mark — a grade
  17. sharp — exactly
  18. sharp — clever
  19. pit — in a race
  20. board — a committee
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. mark — a trace
  24. game — wild animals

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