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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: current · ruler · capital · mark · date · fine · pass · cue

  1. Have you settled on a ________________?
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mark — a grade
  4. current — happening now
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. pass — a permit
  7. date — the fruit
  8. cue — for pool
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. current — electric
  12. fine — high quality
  13. cue — a signal
  14. capital — a city
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. cue — a hint
  17. current — of water
  18. fine — all right
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. capital — money
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. capital — a big letter
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. mark — a trace

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