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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 116 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: pass · ruler · calf · cell · root · bound · scale · mark

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  13. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. He was locked up in a ________________.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. root — the cause
  3. scale — in music
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. root — of a plant
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. scale — size or range
  12. cell — a phone
  13. cell — in biology
  14. bound — tied together
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. mark — a trace
  17. bound — certain
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. cell — in a prison
  20. root — of a word
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. mark — a grade
  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