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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  10. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  11. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. mark — a grade
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. band — a music group
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. spell — magic
  9. mate — a friend
  10. band — a rubber band
  11. shower — rain
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. mate — a partner
  14. shower — to wash
  15. spell — letters
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. mate — to breed
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. shower — a meteor shower
  22. spell — a short time
  23. mark — a trace
  24. band — a ring

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