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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: bound · ruler · key · drill · scale · pop · cabinet · board

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. drill — the tool
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. drill — army training
  5. pop — music
  6. bound — obliged
  7. key — the most important part
  8. scale — in music
  9. board — to get on
  10. bound — tied together
  11. board — a committee
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. drill — a practice
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. key — in music
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. pop — to visit
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. pop — soda
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. key — for a lock
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. bound — certain
  24. scale — size or range

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