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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.

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: pass · ruler · rock · pitcher · jam · face · bowl · fan

  1. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to succeed
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. rock — a stone
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. rock — music
  7. face — to point toward
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. pass — a permit
  14. face — to confront
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. face — part of the head
  24. jam — in traffic

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