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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 120 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: band · cabinet · safe · pass · fan · bulb · ball · suit

  1. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a rubber band
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. suit — in cards
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. pass — a permit
  7. suit — clothes
  8. bulb — for light
  9. band — a ring
  10. ball — a great time
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. bulb — for light
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. ball — a dance
  19. suit — to fit
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. band — a music group

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