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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: safe · perch · ruler · toast · vault · mark · wave · temple

  1. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. vault — an arched ceiling
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. mark — a grade
  13. perch — the fish
  14. toast — bread
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. mark — a trace
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. vault — a safe
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. temple — a place of worship
  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