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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 · fine · mate · coach · suit · ruler · foot · track

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. mate — a partner
  8. fine — all right
  9. suit — to fit
  10. mate — to breed
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. suit — in cards
  13. foot — a measure
  14. mate — a friend
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. suit — clothes
  18. fine — high quality
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. track — to keep track
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. track — a song
  24. track — a path

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