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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: calf · bore · ruler · fine · shower · stock · leaves · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. board — a committee
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. board — to get on
  5. bore — to tire
  6. bore — to drill
  7. fine — high quality
  8. shower — rain
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. shower — a meteor shower
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. stock — shares
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. shower — to wash
  19. fine — all right
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. stock — a soup base
  24. stock — goods

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