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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: staff · leaves · cabinet · nail · foot · present · ruler · season

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. season — in sport
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. foot — a measure
  11. present — there
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. season — of the year
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. staff — employees
  18. staff — a stick
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. present — a gift
  21. present — the time now
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. staff — employees
  24. foot — the bottom

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