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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: bass · fork · ruler · toast · tube · safe · mug · can

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. I'll be taking the ________________.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bass — the fish
  4. tube — a container
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. tube — the underground
  7. toast — bread
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. can — to be able to
  10. can — a tin
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. mug — a cup
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. can — a tin
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. mug — to rob
  21. bass — low music
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. mug — a face
  24. fork — in a road

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