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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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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 · cue · plane · suit · bulb · tube · object · ground

  1. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. There's no middle ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. bulb — for light
  3. ground — a position
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. bulb — for light
  6. object — an aim
  7. cue — for pool
  8. cue — a hint
  9. ground — crushed
  10. tube — the underground
  11. suit — clothes
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. suit — in cards
  15. object — a thing
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. tube — a container
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. suit — to fit
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. ground — the earth
  23. plane — a tool
  24. cue — a signal

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