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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: degree · calf · rush · key · ruler · current · bass · mouse

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. current — of water
  8. degree — an amount
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. rush — hurry
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. key — in music
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. bass — the fish
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. key — for a lock
  18. degree — temperature
  19. current — happening now
  20. degree — from a university
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. bass — low music
  23. key — the most important part
  24. current — electric

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