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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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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: jam · wave · stick · safe · ball · object · drill · ruler

  1. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. object — an aim
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. ball — a great time
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. ball — a dance
  14. drill — army training
  15. drill — the tool
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. drill — a practice
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. object — to protest
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. object — a thing
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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