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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. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — to trim
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. bound — obliged
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. prune — to trim
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. present — there
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. bound — certain
  14. present — a gift
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. present — the time now
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. bound — tied together
  24. prune — the fruit

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