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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  6. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  7. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  16. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. perch — the fish
  6. band — a ring
  7. band — a rubber band
  8. rash — hasty
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. wave — with your hand
  16. band — a music group
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. prune — to trim
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. rash — a series
  23. prune — to trim
  24. safe — out of danger

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