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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 120 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: hide · bulb · can · dip · safe · chair · squash · spring

  1. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  17. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  18. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — a coil
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. spring — of water
  4. bulb — for light
  5. bulb — for light
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. can — a tin
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. chair — a leader
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. spring — the season
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. can — a tin
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. dip — to sink
  17. chair — a professorship
  18. chair — to sit on
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. can — to be able to
  21. squash — to crush
  22. squash — the sport
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. safe — a strongbox

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