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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: board · plane · spell · bear · sharp · jam · ruler · scale

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  12. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  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. plane — a tool
  3. bear — the animal
  4. bear — the animal
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. sharp — clever
  11. spell — a short time
  12. scale — size or range
  13. board — a committee
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. scale — in music
  18. spell — magic
  19. spell — letters
  20. board — to get on
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. scale — for weighing
  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