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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: rush · ball · deal · safe · snap · tube · ruler · lean

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. tube — the underground
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. deal — to handle
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. ball — a dance
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. lean — thin
  13. lean — to bend
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. tube — a container
  18. snap — to click
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. rush — hurry
  21. snap — to speak sharply
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. tube — in a tire

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