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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.

Make a worksheet

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: object · lie · net · dip · safe · present · arm · bulb

  1. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. dip — to sink
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. present — a gift
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. net — after costs
  11. object — to protest
  12. net — in sport
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. net — for catching
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. bulb — for light
  17. present — there
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lie — to recline
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. present — the time now
  22. object — a thing
  23. object — an aim
  24. safe — out of danger

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