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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: branch · ruler · lash · file · degree · charge · scale · jam

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. branch — a division
  4. degree — temperature
  5. file — a document
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. scale — in music
  8. scale — size or range
  9. degree — an amount
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. charge — a price
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. degree — from a university
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. file — a line of people
  21. charge — electricity
  22. charge — in control
  23. file — a tool
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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