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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
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: mark · fan · stick · cap · leaves · rush · perch · ruler

  1. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. mark — a grade
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. cap — a lid
  11. rush — hurry
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. cap — of ice
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. cap — a hat
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. mark — a trace
  19. perch — the fish
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. leaves — to go away

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