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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 120 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: plane · stand · bulb · mark · band · row · ruler · prune

  1. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  22. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. row — to paddle
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. plane — a tool
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. row — a line
  11. mark — a grade
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. bulb — for light
  15. prune — to trim
  16. band — a rubber band
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mark — a trace
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. band — a ring
  22. band — a music group
  23. prune — to trim
  24. stand — to bear

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