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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.

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: bore · suit · can · field · leaves · ruler · bay · wake

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. wake — to stop sleeping
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. suit — clothes
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. wake — a trail
  10. can — a tin
  11. field — farmland
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. bore — to tire
  14. field — for sport
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. can — to be able to
  17. field — a subject
  18. suit — to fit
  19. bore — to drill
  20. suit — in cards
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. can — a tin
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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