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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: suit · sharp · craft · pass · nail · patient · ruler · face

  1. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. It's one o'clock ________________.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. suit — to fit
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. suit — in cards
  5. craft — a skill
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. sharp — exactly
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. craft — a handicraft
  10. face — to confront
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. craft — boats
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. sharp — clever
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. face — part of the head
  17. patient — a sick person
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. face — to point toward
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. suit — clothes
  24. ruler — for measuring

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