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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.

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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: net · pass · clip · toast · lash · game · dip · ruler

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  3. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  4. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  12. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. toast — the most admired
  3. clip — for paper
  4. game — wild animals
  5. dip — to sink
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. net — after costs
  11. clip — to cut
  12. clip — a video
  13. net — for catching
  14. game — a kind of play
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. pass — a permit
  17. toast — bread
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. net — in sport
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. game — a match
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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