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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
468
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: ruler · stick · bound · toast · game · roll · bowl · fan

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  10. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. That was a fun ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. toast — bread
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. roll — a cake
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. game — a kind of play
  10. game — wild animals
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. bound — obliged
  13. roll — a list
  14. bound — tied together
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. bound — certain
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. game — a match

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