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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: can · spell · nail · key · racket · bulb · vault · safe

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. How do you ________________ your surname?
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. key — the most important part
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. spell — letters
  6. spell — magic
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. can — a tin
  9. bulb — for light
  10. racket — a loud noise
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. vault — a safe
  15. key — for a lock
  16. vault — an arched ceiling
  17. key — in music
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. can — a tin
  20. can — to be able to
  21. bulb — for light
  22. spell — a short time
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. nail — on a finger

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