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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. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. rock — music
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. firm — steady
  8. mine — for digging
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. firm — a company
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. saw — the tool
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. firm — decided
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. rock — a stone
  22. mine — belonging to me
  23. saw — the tool
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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