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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 · net · date · fan · calf · lash · racket · roll

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Have you settled on a ________________?
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. net — in sport
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. roll — a cake
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. net — for catching
  14. net — after costs
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. roll — a list
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. racket — for tennis

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