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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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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: coach · stick · drill · ruler · rock · fine · pass · arm

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. rock — music
  6. drill — army training
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. drill — a practice
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. pass — a permit
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. fine — all right
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. rock — a stone
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. fine — high quality
  22. drill — the tool
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. coach — a trainer

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