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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: mug · bulb · jam · plane · current · bank · clip · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  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. clip — to cut
  3. current — electric
  4. mug — a cup
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. clip — for paper
  7. mug — to rob
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. bulb — for light
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. bank — of a river
  12. bank — for money
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. current — of water
  16. bank — for money
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. mug — a face
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. plane — a tool
  22. bulb — for light
  23. clip — a video
  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