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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  13. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  20. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  21. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bulb — for light
  5. can — a tin
  6. prune — to trim
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. prune — to trim
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. track — a song
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. mine — for digging
  13. bark — to shout
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. track — a path
  16. mine — an explosive
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. foot — a measure
  19. prune — the fruit
  20. bark — a dog's sound
  21. bark — of a tree
  22. can — to be able to
  23. can — a tin
  24. track — to keep track

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