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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: pitcher · toast · foot · chip · ruler · drill · bark · patient

  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. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  14. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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. chip — for betting
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. drill — the tool
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. bark — of a tree
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. patient — calm and waiting
  14. bark — to shout
  15. chip — to eat
  16. bark — a dog's sound
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. drill — army training
  19. foot — a measure
  20. drill — a practice
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. toast — bread
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. ruler — for measuring

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