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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: drill · hand · current · stand · toast · pass · ruler · net

  1. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. What was your ________________ profit last year?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — in cards
  2. pass — a permit
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. drill — army training
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. current — happening now
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. drill — a practice
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. hand — part of the body
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. toast — bread
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. net — for catching
  16. current — electric
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. net — in sport
  19. stand — to bear
  20. drill — the tool
  21. current — of water
  22. hand — help
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. net — after costs

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