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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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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 · wind · can · ruler · stick · mark · suit · bore

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. mark — a trace
  4. can — a tin
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. wind — moving air
  7. suit — in cards
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. can — a tin
  10. suit — to fit
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. wind — moving air
  15. bore — to drill
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. can — to be able to
  21. bore — to tire
  22. wind — to turn a key
  23. suit — clothes
  24. ruler — a monarch

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