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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 116 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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  3. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. rock — music
  3. mine — an explosive
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bank — for money
  7. mine — belonging to me
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. rock — a stone
  11. shower — a meteor shower
  12. cue — for pool
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. cue — a hint
  15. bank — for money
  16. mine — for digging
  17. bank — of a river
  18. shower — to wash
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. shower — rain
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. cue — a signal

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