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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
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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: can · lie · ball · bark · rush · bowl · ruler · cabinet

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  16. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. lie — to recline
  4. ball — a dance
  5. bark — a dog's sound
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ball — a great time
  12. can — a tin
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. bark — of a tree
  16. bark — to shout
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. can — a tin
  20. rush — hurry
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. rush — a thrill

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