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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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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: deal · temple · ruler · safe · bound · prune · bulb · cue

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. bound — certain
  7. bound — tied together
  8. bulb — for light
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. cue — a signal
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. deal — to handle
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. bound — obliged
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. cue — a hint
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. prune — to trim
  23. cue — for pool
  24. prune — to trim

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