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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: pitcher · cabinet · ruler · toast · bat · pass · leaves · drill

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. bat — in an idiom
  4. pass — a permit
  5. drill — the tool
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bat — for baseball
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. bat — the animal
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. drill — army training
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. toast — bread
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. drill — a practice
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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