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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

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

Word bank: staff · press · roll · root · ruler · prune · bound · rock

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. prune — to trim
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. prune — to trim
  5. roll — a cake
  6. staff — employees
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. press — newspapers
  9. root — the cause
  10. bound — tied together
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. rock — music
  13. rock — a stone
  14. press — to push
  15. root — of a plant
  16. staff — a stick
  17. bound — certain
  18. root — of a word
  19. press — a publisher
  20. roll — a list
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. staff — employees
  24. bound — obliged

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