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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: ruler · bat · date · jam · cue · current · safe · fine

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  5. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. Have you settled on a ________________?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. date — the fruit
  3. cue — a signal
  4. bat — for baseball
  5. bat — the animal
  6. current — electric
  7. bat — in an idiom
  8. cue — for pool
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. fine — all right
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. cue — a hint
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. current — happening now
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. date — on the calendar
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. fine — high quality

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