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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: calf · bulb · trunk · land · key · ruler · vault · current

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. When are we going to ________________?
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. current — electric
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. key — the most important part
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. key — for a lock
  9. trunk — of a car
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. vault — an arched ceiling
  13. bulb — for light
  14. key — in music
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. vault — a safe
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. land — a country
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. land — to come down
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. bulb — for light
  23. current — happening now
  24. land — ground

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