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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: bay · pass · safe · cabinet · bulb · chip · object · charge

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. object — to protest
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. object — a thing
  7. chip — for betting
  8. pass — a permit
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. bulb — for light
  11. charge — a price
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. chip — to eat
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. charge — electricity
  18. charge — in control
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bulb — for light
  24. safe — out of danger

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