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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.

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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: mark · bulb · key · rock · safe · race · stand · mine

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  12. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. mark — a trace
  4. mine — an explosive
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. key — in music
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. race — a contest
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. race — the arms race
  12. mine — belonging to me
  13. rock — a stone
  14. stand — to bear
  15. rock — music
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. key — the most important part
  18. race — humankind
  19. mine — for digging
  20. bulb — for light
  21. key — for a lock
  22. bulb — for light
  23. mark — a grade
  24. safe — a strongbox

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