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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: ruler · arm · firm · deal · last · nail · fine · safe

  1. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. False peace will not ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. firm — a company
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. fine — high quality
  11. firm — decided
  12. deal — to handle
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. fine — all right
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. arm — part of the body
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. last — finally
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. last — to go on
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. last — final

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