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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.

Make a worksheet

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: rash · trunk · ruler · staff · jam · toast · safe · current

  1. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. current — electric
  9. trunk — of an elephant
  10. current — of water
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. rash — hasty
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. current — happening now
  16. rash — a series
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. staff — a stick
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. toast — bread
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. staff — employees

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