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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 116 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: suit · ruler · lash · wake · branch · saw · file · board

  1. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. saw — the tool
  4. suit — to fit
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. suit — clothes
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. file — a line of people
  10. board — a committee
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. suit — in cards
  13. file — a tool
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. branch — a division
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. board — to get on
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. saw — the tool
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. wake — a trail

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