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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 116 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: tube · ruler · bulb · prune · mug · object · can · suit

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. prune — to trim
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. suit — in cards
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. prune — the fruit
  7. suit — clothes
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. suit — to fit
  11. tube — a container
  12. bulb — for light
  13. object — to protest
  14. tube — the underground
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. object — an aim
  17. prune — to trim
  18. mug — a cup
  19. can — a tin
  20. can — to be able to
  21. mug — to rob
  22. object — a thing
  23. can — a tin
  24. mug — a face

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