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

Word bank: kid · lash · ruler · pit · pass · mate

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  16. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. pit — a hole
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. mate — a friend
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. mate — a partner
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. kid — child
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. mate — to breed
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. kid — to tease
  16. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  17. pass — a permit
  18. pit — in a race

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