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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: sharp · ruler · leaves · toast · wave · fan · suit · safe

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. sharp — clever
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. suit — clothes
  17. suit — to fit
  18. toast — bread
  19. suit — in cards
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. ruler — for measuring

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