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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: bear · plane · cue · ruler · bulb · toast · prune · wake

  1. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. cue — for pool
  2. plane — a tool
  3. bear — the animal
  4. prune — to trim
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. bear — the animal
  7. cue — a hint
  8. wake — a trail
  9. wake — before a funeral
  10. toast — bread
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. cue — a signal
  15. bulb — for light
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. bulb — for light
  20. prune — to trim
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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