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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: perch · current · leaves · stem · roll · mate · pitcher · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. current — electric
  3. perch — the fish
  4. roll — a list
  5. current — of water
  6. mate — to breed
  7. mate — a friend
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. mate — a partner
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. stem — a stem cell
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. roll — a cake
  18. stem — to come from
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. current — happening now

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