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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: pop · bound · lash · leaves · can · firm · bore · ruler

  1. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — gave birth
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bound — obliged
  4. firm — a company
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. firm — decided
  9. can — a tin
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. can — to be able to
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. can — a tin
  14. bound — certain
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. firm — steady
  17. pop — music
  18. bound — tied together
  19. bore — to tire
  20. bore — to drill
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. pop — soda
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. pop — to visit

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