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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.

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: sharp · net · stand · safe · pit · bank · chip · bulb

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. net — for catching
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. bulb — for light
  6. pit — a hole
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. pit — a fruit stone
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. sharp — clever
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. net — in sport
  13. chip — to eat
  14. chip — for betting
  15. bank — for money
  16. pit — in a race
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bank — for money
  19. sharp — with an edge
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. stand — to bear
  22. bank — of a river
  23. net — after costs
  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