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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: cue · current · ruler · board · arm · dip · nail · wind

  1. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. nail — on a finger
  4. current — happening now
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. board — a committee
  9. board — to get on
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. cue — a hint
  12. wind — moving air
  13. current — electric
  14. wind — to turn a key
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. current — of water
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. wind — moving air
  20. cue — for pool
  21. cue — a signal
  22. dip — to sink
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. dip — a sauce

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