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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 120 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: ruler · stick · staff · stand · bound · pass · stem · fan

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stem — to come from
  5. staff — a stick
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. bound — certain
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. stem — a stem cell
  12. stand — to bear
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. bound — obliged
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. pass — a permit
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. staff — employees
  19. bound — tied together
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. stem — of a plant
  24. staff — employees

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