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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: ruler · safe · plane · press · mouse · suit · bound · date

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Did you ________________ the button?
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. suit — to fit
  3. bound — tied together
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. plane — a tool
  8. suit — clothes
  9. date — the fruit
  10. suit — in cards
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. press — a publisher
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. press — to push
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bound — certain
  22. press — newspapers
  23. bound — obliged
  24. plane — in geometry

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