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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: roll · chair · fan · ruler · lie · firm · bound · safe

  1. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. firm — a company
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. firm — decided
  7. roll — a list
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. bound — certain
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bound — obliged
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. firm — steady
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. roll — a cake
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. chair — a leader
  20. lie — to recline
  21. chair — a professorship
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. chair — to sit on
  24. bound — tied together

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