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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  13. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bound — obliged
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. root — the cause
  6. chip — to eat
  7. bulb — for light
  8. root — of a plant
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. bound — tied together
  11. bass — low music
  12. bass — the fish
  13. club — for golf
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. root — of a word
  16. bound — certain
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. club — a group
  20. bulb — for light
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. chip — for betting
  24. club — for dancing

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