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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.

Make a worksheet

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: sharp · bear · ruler · stick · spell · craft · rock · ball

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. How do you ________________ your surname?
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. bear — the animal
  3. bear — the animal
  4. rock — a stone
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. spell — letters
  9. ball — a dance
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. spell — magic
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. craft — a skill
  18. spell — a short time
  19. sharp — clever
  20. ball — a great time
  21. craft — boats
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. rock — music

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