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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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: pass · cabinet · ruler · calf · leaves · wax · object · plane

  1. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to succeed
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. wax — in the ear
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. wax — for sculpting
  9. object — a thing
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. wax — to grow
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. object — an aim
  21. pass — a permit
  22. plane — a tool
  23. object — to protest
  24. cabinet — ministers

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