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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: mate · ruler · branch · safe · root · spell · lie · bass

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. mate — to breed
  3. root — of a word
  4. root — of a plant
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. spell — letters
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. root — the cause
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. lie — to recline
  12. spell — a short time
  13. mate — a partner
  14. bass — the fish
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. spell — magic
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. branch — a division
  22. bass — low music
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. mate — a friend

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