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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: pit · season · jam · bulb · charge · nail · firm · safe

  1. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — a hole
  2. charge — a price
  3. bulb — for light
  4. firm — steady
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. firm — a company
  7. bulb — for light
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. season — in sport
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. firm — decided
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. season — of the year
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. charge — in control
  20. charge — electricity
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. pit — in a race
  24. nail — for a hammer

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