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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. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  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. shower — a meteor shower
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. shower — rain
  4. shower — to wash
  5. rest — what's left
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. track — a path
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. rest — a break
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. rest — what's left
  12. stock — goods
  13. hand — part of the body
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. hand — help
  17. track — to keep track
  18. stock — shares
  19. track — a song
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. hand — in cards
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. safe — a strongbox
  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