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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. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  23. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  24. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. file — a line of people
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. file — a tool
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bank — of a river
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. net — for catching
  11. can — a tin
  12. file — a document
  13. bank — for money
  14. net — in sport
  15. pound — a weight
  16. net — after costs
  17. can — to be able to
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. can — a tin
  21. bank — for money
  22. trunk — of a tree
  23. pound — to hit hard
  24. pound — for dogs

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