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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: face · stand · can · nail · ruler · wake · lean · bound

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. face — part of the head
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. wake — a trail
  5. bound — certain
  6. face — to confront
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. lean — to bend
  9. bound — tied together
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. bound — obliged
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. can — a tin
  16. can — to be able to
  17. wake — to stop sleeping
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. stand — to bear
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. face — to point toward
  24. lean — thin

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