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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 people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. lie — to recline
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. wax — to grow
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. wax — for sculpting

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