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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  24. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. race — a contest
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. rock — music
  8. sharp — clever
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. rock — a stone
  12. deal — to handle
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. race — the arms race
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. cap — of ice
  18. cap — a hat
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. cap — a lid
  24. race — humankind

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