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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: net · safe · rush · nail · ruler · ball · leaves · sharp

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. net — after costs
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. sharp — clever
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. net — in sport
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. net — for catching
  19. ball — a dance
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. rush — hurry
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. nail — for a hammer

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