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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  14. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  15. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. saw — the tool
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. present — there
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. mine — belonging to me
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. board — to get on
  13. present — the time now
  14. mine — for digging
  15. present — a gift
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. toast — bread
  18. saw — the tool
  19. board — a committee
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. mine — an explosive
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. safe — out of danger

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