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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: toast · wave · perch · mine · bank · safe · track · ruler

  1. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — the fish
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. track — to keep track
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. perch — for a bird
  13. bank — for money
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. bank — of a river
  17. bank — for money
  18. track — a song
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. toast — bread
  21. track — a path
  22. mine — an explosive
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. mine — for digging

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