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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: safe · bank · plane · bark · bulb · bore · pop · nail

  1. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  10. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. The ________________ went through the wall.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. bark — to shout
  3. pop — soda
  4. pop — to visit
  5. bore — to drill
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bank — of a river
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bark — of a tree
  10. bark — a dog's sound
  11. pop — music
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. bank — for money
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. bulb — for light
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. bulb — for light
  19. plane — a tool
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. bank — for money
  24. bore — to tire

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