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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: perch · board · ruler · net · stand · stick · bulb · ground

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. There's no middle ________________.
  24. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. perch — the fish
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. stand — to bear
  7. ground — crushed
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. board — to get on
  11. net — in sport
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. net — for catching
  14. bulb — for light
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. net — after costs
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. bulb — for light
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. board — a committee
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. ground — a position
  24. ground — the earth

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