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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: object · ruler · bound · wound · bore · calf · key · mark

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. wound — past of 'wind'
  3. object — a thing
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. object — an aim
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. key — the most important part
  9. object — to protest
  10. wound — an injury
  11. bound — certain
  12. bound — obliged
  13. key — for a lock
  14. wound — an injury
  15. bound — tied together
  16. mark — a grade
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. key — in music
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. bore — to drill
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. bore — to tire
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. ruler — a monarch

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