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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: bulb · game · bear · ruler · fine · roll · mate · bore

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. That was a fun ________________.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  22. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bear — the animal
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. roll — a list
  6. fine — high quality
  7. roll — a cake
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. bore — to drill
  10. bear — the animal
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. fine — all right
  14. game — a match
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. mate — a friend
  17. mate — to breed
  18. bore — to tire
  19. mate — a partner
  20. bulb — for light
  21. game — a kind of play
  22. game — wild animals
  23. bulb — for light
  24. ruler — a monarch

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