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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: tube · ruler · rush · last · fan · pass · plane · spell

  1. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. pass — a permit
  5. last — final
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. last — to go on
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. last — finally
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. tube — a container
  13. spell — a short time
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. spell — letters
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. plane — a tool
  23. tube — the underground
  24. rush — hurry

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