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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: season · bulb · plane · net · safe · can

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. can — a tin
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. net — for catching
  5. can — to be able to
  6. net — in sport
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. bulb — for light
  9. plane — a tool
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. season — of the year
  12. can — a tin
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. net — after costs
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. season — in sport
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bulb — for light

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