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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: bore · cap · ruler · hide · calf · wound · plane · can

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  22. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. plane — a tool
  3. wound — an injury
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. wound — an injury
  8. can — to be able to
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. bore — to tire
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. bore — to drill
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. can — a tin
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. wound — past of 'wind'
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. cap — a hat
  22. cap — of ice
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. cap — a lid

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