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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 120 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 · firm · charge · arm · temple · deal · ruler · last

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. charge — electricity
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. charge — in control
  8. last — finally
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. last — final
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. firm — steady
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. deal — to handle
  21. charge — a price
  22. firm — decided
  23. last — to go on
  24. firm — a company

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