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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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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 · branch · can · lean · leaves · vault · bank · snap

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  23. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bank — for money
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. snap — to snap out of it
  5. can — a tin
  6. lean — to rest against
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. bank — of a river
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. can — to be able to
  12. lean — to bend
  13. snap — to speak sharply
  14. can — a tin
  15. branch — a division
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. vault — a safe
  18. lean — thin
  19. vault — in gymnastics
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. bank — for money
  22. branch — of a bank
  23. snap — to click
  24. leaves — lets stay

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