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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
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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: last · safe · ruler · rush · bear · saw · present · date

  1. False peace will not ________________.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. Have you settled on a ________________?
  13. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. last — to go on
  2. bear — the animal
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. date — the fruit
  8. bear — the animal
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. present — the time now
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. present — there
  14. last — final
  15. saw — the tool
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. last — finally
  21. saw — the tool
  22. present — a gift
  23. rush — hurry
  24. bear — to put up with

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