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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.

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: current · vault · spring · object · rash · pass · season · ruler

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. rash — a series
  3. season — in sport
  4. vault — a safe
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. object — a thing
  7. spring — of water
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. season — of the year
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. current — electric
  14. object — an aim
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. rash — hasty
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. spring — a coil
  20. pass — a permit
  21. object — to protest
  22. current — happening now
  23. spring — the season
  24. current — of water

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