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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: board · can · trunk · pitcher · lash · straw · perch · ruler

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  13. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. perch — the fish
  5. straw — dry grass
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. can — a tin
  12. straw — a straw man
  13. trunk — of a tree
  14. can — to be able to
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. straw — to clutch at straws
  17. board — a committee
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. can — a tin
  21. board — to get on
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. trunk — of an elephant
  24. lash — an eyelash

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