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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
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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: cell · racket · coach · ruler · bound · rock · toast · can

  1. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. He was locked up in a ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. rock — a stone
  4. cell — in a prison
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. rock — music
  10. bound — obliged
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. can — a tin
  13. cell — a phone
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. cell — in biology
  16. can — a tin
  17. bound — tied together
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. bound — certain
  20. toast — bread
  21. can — to be able to
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. racket — for tennis

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