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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: bass · craft · shower · can · calf · cue · ruler · temple

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  7. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. cue — for pool
  4. bass — low music
  5. bass — the fish
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. craft — boats
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. shower — to wash
  10. shower — a meteor shower
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. can — a tin
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. can — a tin
  17. cue — a hint
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. craft — a handicraft
  20. cue — a signal
  21. can — to be able to
  22. shower — rain
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. craft — a skill

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