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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: ruler · mug · cue · patient · trunk · rush · date · board

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  3. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  4. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. patient — calm and waiting
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. trunk — of a car
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. mug — a face
  8. cue — a hint
  9. mug — to rob
  10. board — a committee
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. board — to get on
  13. cue — for pool
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. mug — a cup
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. cue — a signal
  19. rush — hurry
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. date — the fruit

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