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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: temple · safe · perch · ruler · leaves · rock · sharp · court

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The ball is in your ________________.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. rock — a stone
  4. perch — the fish
  5. sharp — clever
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. court — of law
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. court — of a king
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. rock — music
  22. court — for sport
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. perch — for a bird

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