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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: bound · suit · ruler · clip · file · fan · stand · mark

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  8. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  16. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. file — a tool
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. bound — obliged
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. clip — for paper
  8. file — a document
  9. mark — a trace
  10. bound — tied together
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. stand — to bear
  14. suit — to fit
  15. file — a line of people
  16. clip — a video
  17. mark — a grade
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. clip — to cut
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. bound — certain
  23. suit — clothes
  24. stand — on your feet

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