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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: current · plane · tube · wax · ruler · tear · mouse · nail

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. I'll be taking the ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  23. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. tear — from crying
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. plane — a tool
  8. tear — from crying
  9. current — happening now
  10. current — electric
  11. tube — the underground
  12. current — of water
  13. wax — to grow
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. tear — to rip
  23. tube — a container
  24. mouse — the animal

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