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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 116 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: coach · ground · lie · current · bulb · rush · ruler · bay

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. ground — crushed
  8. lie — to recline
  9. current — of water
  10. ground — the earth
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. current — electric
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. rush — hurry
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. bulb — for light
  21. ground — a position
  22. current — happening now
  23. bulb — for light
  24. lie — an untruth

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