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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. can — a tin
  5. chip — to eat
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. kid — child
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. ball — a great time
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. bass — low music
  15. bass — the fish
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. ball — a dance
  18. chip — for betting
  19. can — to be able to
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. can — a tin
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. kid — to tease
  24. ruler — for measuring

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