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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.

Make a worksheet

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: jam · rush · lash · ruler · fan · chair · wave · scale

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  12. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. chair — a professorship
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. scale — size or range
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. wave — a sudden rise
  12. chair — to sit on
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. chair — a leader
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. rush — hurry
  21. scale — in music
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. wave — of the sea

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