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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: ruler · saw · bore · bound · coach · fork · pass · suit

  1. She's very handy with a ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. suit — in cards
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. suit — clothes
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. fork — to eat with
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. bound — tied together
  10. saw — the tool
  11. bore — to tire
  12. fork — in a road
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. pass — a permit
  15. suit — to fit
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. bound — certain
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. bound — obliged
  23. bore — to drill
  24. pass — to succeed

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