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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
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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: root · cue · face · ruler · bound · last · bulb · leaves

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bound — certain
  4. root — of a word
  5. root — the cause
  6. cue — a signal
  7. last — to go on
  8. face — part of the head
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. root — of a plant
  11. bound — obliged
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. face — to point toward
  15. last — finally
  16. bulb — for light
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. bound — tied together
  19. cue — a hint
  20. face — to confront
  21. bulb — for light
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. last — final
  24. cue — for pool

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