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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: safe · ruler · content · plane · jam · leaves · fall · mug

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  7. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  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. jam — in traffic
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. fall — to drop
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. fall — to drop
  7. content — videos and posts
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. content — the amount
  10. plane — a tool
  11. mug — a face
  12. mug — a cup
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. mug — to rob
  18. content — happy
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. fall — the season
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. leaves — lets stay
  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