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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.

Make a worksheet

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: scale · temple · ruler · safe · sharp · degree · board · jam

  1. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. degree — temperature
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. sharp — clever
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. degree — an amount
  8. scale — size or range
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. board — to get on
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. board — a committee
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. scale — in music
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. degree — from a university

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