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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: pass · ruler · key · rush · jam · race · sharp · bear

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. bear — the animal
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. bear — the animal
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. race — a contest
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. key — the most important part
  14. pass — a permit
  15. race — humankind
  16. key — in music
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. sharp — clever
  21. rush — hurry
  22. race — the arms race
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. key — for a lock

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