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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
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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: rash · spell · wax · ruler · object · current · plane · swing

  1. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. How do you ________________ your surname?
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. current — happening now
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. rash — a series
  6. current — of water
  7. spell — magic
  8. spell — letters
  9. rash — hasty
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. swing — music
  12. spell — a short time
  13. wax — to grow
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. swing — to play on
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. object — a thing
  19. object — to protest
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. current — electric
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. object — an aim
  24. plane — a tool

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