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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: craft · firm · stand · march · ruler · bay · mug · rule

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  10. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. craft — boats
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. rule — to rule out
  7. firm — decided
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. march — music
  10. march — the month
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. mug — to rob
  13. march — the month
  14. stand — to bear
  15. mug — a face
  16. craft — a skill
  17. mug — a cup
  18. rule — government
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. firm — steady
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. firm — a company
  24. rule — a law

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