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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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. tube — a container
  3. mark — a grade
  4. rest — what's left
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rest — what's left
  7. tube — the underground
  8. trunk — of an elephant
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. bound — certain
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. rest — a break
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. mark — a trace
  21. bound — obliged
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. trunk — of a car
  24. leaves — of a tree

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