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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 · safe · roll · track · wax · cabinet · board · rest

  1. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. roll — a cake
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bulb — for light
  5. board — to get on
  6. rest — what's left
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. track — to keep track
  9. track — a song
  10. wax — to grow
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. track — a path
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. bulb — for light
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. wax — in the ear
  20. rest — a break
  21. roll — a list
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. board — a committee

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