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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 116 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: fan · nail · saw · last · ruler · pass · wave · lash

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. False peace will not ________________.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  22. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. last — to go on
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. saw — the tool
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. saw — the tool
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. pass — a permit
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. last — finally
  22. last — final
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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