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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.

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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: mug · safe · mouse · wave · lean · shower · suit · ruler

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  14. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. shower — rain
  3. mug — a cup
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. suit — clothes
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. mug — to rob
  8. lean — to bend
  9. suit — to fit
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. suit — in cards
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. shower — to wash
  14. shower — a meteor shower
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. wave — a sudden rise
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mug — a face
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. lean — thin

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