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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: mouse · ruler · net · key · bulb · branch · bass · fan

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. branch — a division
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. bass — the instrument
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bass — the fish
  11. net — after costs
  12. key — the most important part
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bass — low music
  16. key — for a lock
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. key — in music
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. net — in sport
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. net — for catching

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