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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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. wind — moving air
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. cap — a hat
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bank — for money
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. cap — a lid
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. current — of water
  13. current — happening now
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. current — electric
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cap — of ice
  18. rush — hurry
  19. bore — to tire
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. bore — to drill
  22. wind — to turn a key
  23. bank — of a river
  24. wind — moving air

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