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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  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. perch — the fish
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. prune — to trim
  5. rock — a stone
  6. pit — in a race
  7. key — the most important part
  8. prune — the fruit
  9. key — in music
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. key — for a lock
  12. sharp — clever
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. pit — a hole
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. rock — music
  20. prune — to trim
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. rock — to move gently
  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