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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 120 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 · row · last · ruler · wake · fine · file · cabinet

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  7. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  10. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  21. False peace will not ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. last — final
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. row — a quarrel
  7. row — to paddle
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. file — a tool
  10. last — finally
  11. fine — high quality
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. file — a line of people
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. fine — all right
  20. file — a document
  21. last — to go on
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. wake — to stop sleeping
  24. row — a line

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