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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 120 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: mark · safe · cabinet · saw · squash · ruler · degree · rash

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. rash — a series
  5. squash — the sport
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. degree — an amount
  8. mark — a trace
  9. saw — the tool
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. saw — the tool
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. degree — from a university
  16. mark — a grade
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. degree — temperature
  20. rash — hasty
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. squash — to crush
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. squash — the vegetable

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