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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: ruler · content · rush · suit · stand · pass · field · toast

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  22. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  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. toast — a drink to someone
  2. field — a subject
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. content — happy
  6. suit — clothes
  7. content — videos and posts
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. pass — a permit
  13. suit — to fit
  14. content — the amount
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. suit — in cards
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. stand — to bear
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. field — farmland
  22. field — for sport
  23. toast — bread
  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