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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: rest · bulb · suit · saw · toast · ball · prune · ruler

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. bulb — for light
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rest — what's left
  7. saw — the tool
  8. rest — a break
  9. suit — in cards
  10. bulb — for light
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. prune — to trim
  13. suit — to fit
  14. ball — a dance
  15. saw — the tool
  16. ball — a great time
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. prune — to trim
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. suit — clothes
  23. rest — what's left
  24. toast — bread

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