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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.

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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: mug · suit · saw · ruler · cabinet · leaves · rock · bound

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. saw — the tool
  4. saw — the tool
  5. mug — to rob
  6. rock — a stone
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. mug — a cup
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. suit — to fit
  11. bound — tied together
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. suit — in cards
  15. mug — a face
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. rock — music
  18. suit — clothes
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. bound — certain
  23. saw — past of 'see'
  24. bound — obliged

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