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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: safe · current · arm · ruler · mark · bank · clip · pitcher

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  5. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. bank — of a river
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. clip — for paper
  5. clip — a video
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. current — happening now
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. current — electric
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. bank — for money
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. current — of water
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. clip — to cut
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. mark — a grade
  23. bank — for money
  24. arm — part of the body

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