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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  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. mark — to pay attention
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. object — a thing
  6. bass — the fish
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. mark — a grade
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. mark — a trace
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. pass — a permit
  19. bass — low music
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. object — to protest
  22. object — an aim
  23. fan — a supporter
  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