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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 120 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. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. object — a thing
  7. key — in music
  8. key — for a lock
  9. rush — hurry
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pass — a permit
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. mine — for digging
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. mine — belonging to me
  20. key — the most important part
  21. mine — an explosive
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. object — an aim

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