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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: hand · calf · mug · track · lie · fan · file · ruler

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. file — a line of people
  4. file — a document
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. lie — to recline
  7. track — a path
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. mug — a cup
  10. track — to keep track
  11. hand — help
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. mug — a face
  15. mug — to rob
  16. hand — part of the body
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. track — a song
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. hand — in cards
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. file — a tool

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