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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: lash · wake · pass · ruler · fine · content · bay · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  5. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wake — before a funeral
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. content — happy
  5. content — videos and posts
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. fine — all right
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. pass — a permit
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. wake — a trail
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. content — the amount
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. fine — high quality
  21. board — to get on
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. board — a committee

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