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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
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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: staff · drill · perch · bear · ruler · coach · squash · key

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. squash — the sport
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. key — the most important part
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. drill — a practice
  10. squash — to crush
  11. staff — employees
  12. key — for a lock
  13. bear — the animal
  14. drill — army training
  15. perch — the fish
  16. drill — the tool
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. staff — a stick
  22. bear — the animal
  23. staff — employees
  24. key — in music

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