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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.

Make a worksheet

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: rash · row · lash · net · ruler · lean · fine · bat

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  15. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  16. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  17. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. row — a quarrel
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. net — for catching
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. lean — thin
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. bat — in an idiom
  10. lean — to bend
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. rash — hasty
  14. row — to paddle
  15. lean — to rest against
  16. net — in sport
  17. bat — for baseball
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. bat — the animal
  20. net — after costs
  21. fine — high quality
  22. row — a line
  23. fine — all right
  24. fine — a penalty

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