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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 116 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: lean · ruler · spell · wave · safe · leaves · chip · pitcher

  1. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. How do you ________________ your surname?
  6. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. There's a computer ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — to eat
  2. spell — a short time
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. spell — letters
  6. lean — to bend
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. lean — thin
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. chip — for betting
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. spell — magic
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. chip — in a computer

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