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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 116 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: prune · ruler · fine · key · can · bulb · firm · bound

  1. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — all right
  2. firm — a company
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. can — to be able to
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. can — a tin
  8. fine — high quality
  9. bound — certain
  10. key — for a lock
  11. bulb — for light
  12. key — the most important part
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. firm — steady
  15. bound — tied together
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bound — obliged
  18. firm — decided
  19. prune — to trim
  20. can — a tin
  21. key — in music
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. prune — to trim
  24. ruler — a monarch

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