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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. suit — to fit
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. suit — in cards
  11. sharp — clever
  12. chip — to eat
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. suit — clothes
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. vault — a safe
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. chip — for betting
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. mouse — the animal

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