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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: patient · ruler · can · current · toast · key · drill · squash

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. drill — army training
  3. key — in music
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. can — a tin
  6. squash — to crush
  7. key — for a lock
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. current — electric
  10. drill — the tool
  11. can — to be able to
  12. squash — the sport
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. drill — a practice
  18. current — of water
  19. current — happening now
  20. toast — bread
  21. can — a tin
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. key — the most important part
  24. ruler — a monarch

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