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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: object · safe · ruler · bulb · ball · band · dip · pit

  1. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a ring
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. object — an aim
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ball — a great time
  6. pit — in a race
  7. ball — a dance
  8. bulb — for light
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. bulb — for light
  12. band — a music group
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. object — a thing
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. object — to protest
  20. pit — a hole
  21. band — a rubber band
  22. dip — to sink
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. dip — a sauce

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