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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. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  19. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  20. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. Have you settled on a ________________?
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — in the ear
  2. bound — obliged
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. bound — certain
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bound — tied together
  12. sharp — clever
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. date — the fruit
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. bear — the animal
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. roll — a list
  19. wax — for sculpting
  20. roll — a cake
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. date — on the calendar
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. wax — to grow

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