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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 116 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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. plane — a tool
  3. saw — the tool
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. bark — of a tree
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. rock — a stone
  10. bark — to shout
  11. pop — soda
  12. saw — the tool
  13. mine — for digging
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. bark — a dog's sound
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. mine — belonging to me
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. pop — to visit
  23. pop — music
  24. rock — music

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