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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: calf · stick · can · rock · lie · toast · ruler · pop

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. rock — a stone
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. rock — music
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. toast — bread
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — a tin
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. pop — to visit
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. lie — to recline
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. can — to be able to
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. pop — soda
  23. pop — music
  24. calf — a young animal

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