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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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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: ball · bank · lash · squash · bulb · ruler · bark · nail

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  19. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  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. ruler — for measuring
  2. squash — to crush
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. bark — a dog's sound
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. bulb — for light
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. squash — the sport
  10. ball — a dance
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. bank — of a river
  13. bank — for money
  14. bank — for money
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bark — of a tree
  19. squash — the vegetable
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. bark — to shout
  23. ball — a great time
  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