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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: bulb · cue · mug · safe · key · press · wake · spell

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. press — a publisher
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. key — in music
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. spell — magic
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. cue — a hint
  10. bulb — for light
  11. mug — a face
  12. cue — a signal
  13. press — to push
  14. spell — a short time
  15. spell — letters
  16. wake — a trail
  17. press — newspapers
  18. cue — for pool
  19. key — the most important part
  20. mug — a cup
  21. bulb — for light
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. key — for a lock
  24. mug — to rob

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