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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.

Make a worksheet

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: ruler · pitcher · key · bass · calf · stand · perch · wax

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. stand — to bear
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. wax — to grow
  14. bass — the fish
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. perch — the fish
  17. key — for a lock
  18. key — in music
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. key — the most important part
  23. bass — low music
  24. perch — for a bird

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