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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
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: net · lean · plane · shower · can · hide · ruler · bay

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  17. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — a tool
  6. can — a tin
  7. can — to be able to
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. lean — thin
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. shower — to wash
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. lean — to bend
  16. shower — rain
  17. shower — a meteor shower
  18. net — in sport
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. can — a tin
  21. net — after costs
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. net — for catching

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