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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: mate · bore · roll · current · key · bear · squash · ruler

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. squash — to crush
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. mate — a friend
  6. current — of water
  7. key — the most important part
  8. current — happening now
  9. roll — a cake
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. bear — the animal
  13. roll — a list
  14. squash — the sport
  15. mate — a partner
  16. bore — to drill
  17. current — electric
  18. bore — to tire
  19. bear — the animal
  20. mate — to breed
  21. key — in music
  22. key — for a lock
  23. squash — the vegetable
  24. ruler — for measuring

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