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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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  14. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. firm — decided
  4. wake — before a funeral
  5. lean — thin
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. swing — music
  10. firm — steady
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. lean — to bend
  13. wake — to stop sleeping
  14. wake — a trail
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. swing — to play on
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. rush — hurry
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. swing — in golf
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. firm — a company

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