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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: rash · ball · roll · pitcher · safe · board · ruler · mug

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. rash — a series
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. board — a committee
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. roll — a cake
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. ball — a great time
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. mug — a face
  13. roll — a list
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. mug — to rob
  17. ball — a dance
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. mug — a cup
  21. rash — hasty
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. board — to get on
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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