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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: mouse · ruler · pass · band · current · perch · stick · board

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. band — a rubber band
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. perch — the fish
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. pass — a permit
  12. board — a committee
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. current — electric
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. current — happening now
  19. board — to get on
  20. band — a ring
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. band — a music group
  24. current — of water

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