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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.

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: plane · cabinet · bear · ruler · season · rule · lie · bore

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. season — of the year
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. rule — to rule out
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. bore — to drill
  8. bear — the animal
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lie — to recline
  13. plane — a tool
  14. rule — government
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. bore — to tire
  17. season — in sport
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. rule — a law
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. bear — the animal
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. bear — to put up with
  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