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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: cabinet · ruler · toast · pit · current · patient · face · rash

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. face — to point toward
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. current — of water
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. pit — a hole
  8. current — happening now
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. rash — a series
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. rash — hasty
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. toast — bread
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. face — part of the head
  20. face — to confront
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. pit — in a race
  24. current — electric

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