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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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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. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. rush — hurry
  2. pass — a permit
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. face — part of the head
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. mark — a trace
  8. current — happening now
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. mark — a grade
  12. current — electric
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. face — to confront
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. face — to point toward
  21. current — of water
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. cabinet — ministers

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