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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
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: fine · board · prune · mine · mug · safe · fork · bulb

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  9. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  10. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. bulb — for light
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. mine — for digging
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. mug — a face
  8. mine — an explosive
  9. prune — to trim
  10. mine — belonging to me
  11. fine — all right
  12. mug — a cup
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. prune — to trim
  15. fork — to eat with
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. board — a committee
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. board — to get on
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. bulb — for light
  23. fine — high quality
  24. mug — to rob

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