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

Word bank: ruler · perch · patient · can · toast · plane · root · pound

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. patient — a sick person
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. can — a tin
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. pound — a weight
  7. toast — bread
  8. can — to be able to
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. can — a tin
  15. perch — the fish
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. pound — for dogs
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. root — of a plant
  20. pound — to hit hard
  21. root — of a word
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. root — the cause
  24. plane — a tool

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