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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: present · roll · saw · safe · bulb · toast · sharp · suit

  1. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. present — there
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. roll — a list
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. present — a gift
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. sharp — clever
  8. bulb — for light
  9. saw — the tool
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. bulb — for light
  15. suit — in cards
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. toast — bread
  18. suit — to fit
  19. saw — the tool
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. suit — clothes
  22. present — the time now
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. roll — a cake

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