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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: leaves · safe · bulb · deal · snap · board · tube · track

  1. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. track — to keep track
  3. board — a committee
  4. tube — the underground
  5. track — a song
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. tube — a container
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. board — to get on
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. track — a path
  12. snap — to snap out of it
  13. bulb — for light
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. snap — to click
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. deal — to handle
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. snap — to speak sharply

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