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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: dip · pitcher · lie · ruler · mug · nail · leaves · mouse

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. lie — to recline
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. mug — a face
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. mug — to rob
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. mug — a cup
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. dip — to sink
  24. mouse — for a computer

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