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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 116 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 · craft · plane · nail · can · ruler · board · current

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bound — tied together
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — a tin
  7. bound — obliged
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. craft — a skill
  10. current — electric
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. current — happening now
  13. board — a committee
  14. plane — a tool
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. current — of water
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. craft — boats
  21. craft — a handicraft
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. board — to get on
  24. bound — certain

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