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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.

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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: craft · spell · mate · ruler · wave · foot · roll · saw

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  3. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. roll — a cake
  3. craft — a handicraft
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. craft — a skill
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. craft — boats
  9. foot — a measure
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. mate — to breed
  12. spell — a short time
  13. mate — a partner
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. saw — the tool
  17. spell — magic
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. spell — letters
  22. saw — the tool
  23. roll — a list
  24. mate — a friend

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