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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: pitcher · bear · object · ruler · trunk · current · suit · bat

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  8. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. current — electric
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. bat — the animal
  5. object — an aim
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. bat — for baseball
  8. bat — in an idiom
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. suit — to fit
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. bear — the animal
  13. bear — the animal
  14. suit — in cards
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. current — happening now
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. object — a thing
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. object — to protest
  23. current — of water
  24. ruler — for measuring

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