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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: pound · prune · bore · fine · object · trunk · ruler · lean

  1. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — a weight
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. object — an aim
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. object — to protest
  6. bore — to drill
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. pound — to hit hard
  9. fine — high quality
  10. prune — to trim
  11. lean — thin
  12. lean — to bend
  13. prune — to trim
  14. object — a thing
  15. fine — all right
  16. pound — for dogs
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. bore — to tire
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. prune — the fruit

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