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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: pop · ruler · spell · mine · safe · leaves · bark · fine

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  17. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. spell — a short time
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fine — high quality
  5. mine — belonging to me
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. pop — music
  9. fine — all right
  10. bark — a dog's sound
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. pop — soda
  14. spell — magic
  15. mine — for digging
  16. bark — of a tree
  17. bark — to shout
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. mine — an explosive
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. spell — letters
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. pop — to visit

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