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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: temple · plane · branch · bore · foot · spring · firm · ruler

  1. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. firm — a company
  3. spring — the season
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. bore — to tire
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. foot — a measure
  9. branch — a division
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. firm — decided
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. bore — to drill
  15. spring — of water
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. spring — a coil
  19. plane — a tool
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. bore — gave birth

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