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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 · saw · bulb · perch · trunk · ruler · fine · bark

  1. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bark — of a tree
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. saw — the tool
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. fine — high quality
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. saw — the tool
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. perch — the fish
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. bark — to shout
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. bulb — for light
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. bark — a dog's sound
  22. bulb — for light
  23. fine — all right
  24. ruler — for measuring

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