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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: object · ruler · patient · swing · squash · pop · tube · board

  1. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. You don't need to ________________ round.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. David sat on the ________________.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. patient — a sick person
  2. squash — the sport
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. tube — the underground
  5. patient — calm and waiting
  6. pop — soda
  7. tube — a container
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. board — a committee
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. object — a thing
  12. pop — music
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. pop — to visit
  15. squash — to crush
  16. swing — music
  17. swing — in golf
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. board — to get on
  20. object — an aim
  21. object — to protest
  22. swing — to play on
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. board — a flat piece

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