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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: saw · pitcher · bore · firm · ruler · dip · file · plane

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  19. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. file — a document
  4. file — a tool
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. bore — to tire
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. dip — to sink
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. firm — steady
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. plane — a tool
  15. saw — the tool
  16. file — a line of people
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. bore — to drill
  19. saw — past of 'see'
  20. saw — the tool
  21. firm — decided
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. firm — a company

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