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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: board · ruler · kick · squash · key · bound · mark · can

  1. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. key — in music
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. key — the most important part
  6. can — a tin
  7. mark — a trace
  8. squash — the sport
  9. can — to be able to
  10. bound — obliged
  11. key — for a lock
  12. squash — to crush
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. bound — tied together
  17. board — to get on
  18. bound — certain
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. mark — a grade
  21. squash — the vegetable
  22. can — a tin
  23. kick — in football
  24. board — a committee

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