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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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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: snap · rush · foot · pit · ruler · mark · safe · can

  1. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. foot — a measure
  5. snap — to click
  6. mark — a trace
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. pit — in a race
  11. can — a tin
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. mark — a grade
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. can — a tin
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. pit — a hole
  19. can — to be able to
  20. rush — hurry
  21. snap — to speak sharply
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. safe — out of danger

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