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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: plane · bound · safe · scale · wax · cabinet · cell · bulb

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. He was locked up in a ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  18. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. bulb — for light
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. cell — in a prison
  8. plane — a tool
  9. bulb — for light
  10. scale — in music
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. bound — tied together
  13. scale — size or range
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cell — in biology
  18. cell — a phone
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. bound — obliged
  22. wax — to grow
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. bound — certain

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