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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: leaves · rush · mate · key · date · ruler · current · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Have you settled on a ________________?
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  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. ruler — for measuring
  2. date — the fruit
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. mate — a friend
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. current — of water
  8. current — happening now
  9. key — the most important part
  10. key — for a lock
  11. board — to get on
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. board — a committee
  15. current — electric
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. key — in music
  21. mate — a partner
  22. rush — hurry
  23. mate — to breed
  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