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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: wax · branch · object · sharp · mark · bore · ruler · suit

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. It's one o'clock ________________.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. suit — clothes
  3. mark — a grade
  4. bore — gave birth
  5. branch — a division
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. object — a thing
  8. bore — to drill
  9. object — to protest
  10. wax — to grow
  11. suit — to fit
  12. mark — a trace
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. suit — in cards
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. object — an aim
  20. bore — to tire
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. sharp — exactly
  24. sharp — clever

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