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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: calf · deal · bound · plane · ruler · lie · perch · mine

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. lie — to recline
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bound — tied together
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. mine — an explosive
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. deal — to handle
  20. mine — for digging
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. bound — certain
  23. plane — a tool
  24. perch — the fish

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