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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. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. We're on a ________________ here.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a cake
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. content — videos and posts
  6. suit — clothes
  7. roll — a list
  8. roll — on a roll
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. season — of the year
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. mug — a face
  14. suit — to fit
  15. content — the amount
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. suit — in cards
  18. mug — a cup
  19. rush — hurry
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. season — in sport
  23. content — happy
  24. mug — to rob

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