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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: prune · calf · leaves · bass · ruler · racket · ground · deal

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. There's no middle ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ground — the earth
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. ground — a position
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. prune — to trim
  7. bass — the fish
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. deal — to handle
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. ground — crushed
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. bass — low music
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. prune — to trim
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. calf — of the leg
  24. calf — a young animal

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