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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: object · ruler · hide · safe · sharp · pound · squash · fan

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  20. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. squash — the sport
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. sharp — clever
  7. pound — a weight
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. squash — to crush
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. pound — for dogs
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. object — an aim
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. object — to protest
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. sharp — with an edge
  20. pound — to hit hard
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. safe — out of danger

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