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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.

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: tube · fan · lash · wake · patient · rush · ruler · pass

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. fan — to cool the air
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. wake — a trail
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. wake — to stop sleeping
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. tube — a container
  16. tube — the underground
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. rush — hurry
  20. pass — a permit
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. patient — calm and waiting
  24. pass — to succeed

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