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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: ruler · mug · lash · tube · spell · nail · bulb · vault

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mug — a face
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. mug — to rob
  5. spell — magic
  6. spell — letters
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. mug — a cup
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. bulb — for light
  14. vault — in gymnastics
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. bulb — for light
  18. spell — a short time
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. tube — a container
  22. tube — the underground
  23. vault — a safe
  24. nail — for a hammer

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