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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 120 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: rush · fine · pass · stand · firm · degree · ruler · wave

  1. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. degree — temperature
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. fine — high quality
  6. rush — hurry
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. stand — to bear
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. degree — an amount
  12. firm — a company
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. firm — steady
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. degree — from a university
  20. pass — a permit
  21. wave — a sudden rise
  22. fine — all right
  23. firm — decided
  24. rush — to hurry

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