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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: pass · rest · calf · ruler · season · mouse · leaves · bay

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. rest — a break
  3. season — in sport
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. rest — what's left
  10. season — of the year
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. pass — a permit
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. rest — what's left
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. ruler — for measuring

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