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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: bark · calf · jam · cap · spell · saw · ruler · rock

  1. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  18. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a lid
  2. rock — a stone
  3. cap — of ice
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. spell — a short time
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. spell — magic
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. bark — a dog's sound
  11. saw — the tool
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. saw — the tool
  16. cap — a hat
  17. bark — to shout
  18. bark — of a tree
  19. spell — letters
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. rock — music
  24. calf — a young animal

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