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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.

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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: ruler · leaves · bay · charge · calf · march · deal · bulb

  1. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — of the leg
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. charge — electricity
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. charge — in control
  9. march — the month
  10. bulb — for light
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. charge — a price
  13. deal — to handle
  14. march — music
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. bulb — for light
  19. march — the month
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. leaves — of a tree

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