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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: rock · ruler · coach · leaves · calf · bulb · patient · pass

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. patient — calm and waiting
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. rock — music
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. rock — a stone
  19. bulb — for light
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. pass — a permit

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