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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: ruler · file · dip · pit · scale · bass · stem · suit

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  20. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. dip — to sink
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. suit — in cards
  5. pit — in a race
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. scale — size or range
  10. suit — clothes
  11. pit — a hole
  12. stem — to come from
  13. bass — low music
  14. suit — to fit
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. file — a document
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. bass — the instrument
  20. bass — the fish
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. file — a tool
  23. scale — in music
  24. file — a line of people

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