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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
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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: deal · pass · nail · season · fan · ruler · rash · toast

  1. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — a big deal
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. season — of the year
  7. deal — to handle
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. pass — a permit
  15. season — in sport
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. rash — a series
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. rash — hasty
  24. toast — bread

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