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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 120 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 · pass · can · stem · bark · ruler · arm · mark

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ball — a dance
  3. can — a tin
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. mark — a trace
  8. ball — a great time
  9. bark — of a tree
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. can — a tin
  13. bark — a dog's sound
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. mark — a grade
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. pass — a permit
  18. can — to be able to
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. stem — to come from
  23. bark — to shout
  24. arm — part of the body

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