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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 newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  8. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  16. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  17. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. drill — army training
  8. wind — to turn a key
  9. foot — a measure
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. drill — the tool
  13. drill — a practice
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. scale — for weighing
  16. wind — moving air
  17. wave — of the sea
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. wind — moving air
  20. bulb — for light
  21. scale — size or range
  22. scale — in music
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. bulb — for light

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