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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 120 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: ruler · wax · hand · plane · clip · calf · safe · foot

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Do you need a ________________ with that?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. clip — a video
  4. wax — to grow
  5. clip — to cut
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. wax — in the ear
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. plane — a tool
  12. hand — in cards
  13. clip — for paper
  14. foot — a measure
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. hand — part of the body
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. hand — help

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