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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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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: date · ruler · hand · safe · craft · object · stick · stand

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  10. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Have you settled on a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. stand — to bear
  6. object — a thing
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. hand — part of the body
  10. hand — in cards
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. object — to protest
  13. object — an aim
  14. hand — help
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. craft — boats
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. craft — a skill
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. date — on the calendar

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