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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.

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 · patient · game · bass · rock · swing · can · bank

  1. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  13. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. That was a fun ________________.
  17. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. David sat on the ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. game — wild animals
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bass — the fish
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. bank — for money
  9. bass — low music
  10. swing — music
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. game — a kind of play
  13. swing — in golf
  14. can — a tin
  15. can — a tin
  16. game — a match
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. rock — music
  19. bank — of a river
  20. swing — to play on
  21. can — to be able to
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. bank — for money
  24. rock — a stone

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