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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: fine · foot · can · ball · ruler · pitcher · leaves · roll

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. We're on a ________________ here.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. foot — a measure
  5. fine — all right
  6. roll — on a roll
  7. roll — a cake
  8. roll — a list
  9. can — a tin
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. can — a tin
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. can — to be able to
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. ball — a great time
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. fine — high quality
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. ball — a dance

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