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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: pass · date · roll · bear · chip · safe · leaves · ruler

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. bear — the animal
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. bear — the animal
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. pass — a permit
  8. chip — to eat
  9. roll — a list
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. chip — for betting
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. roll — a cake
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. date — the fruit

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