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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 120 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
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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: prune · bulb · bass · safe · coach · charge · nail · pitcher

  1. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. charge — electricity
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. bulb — for light
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. charge — in control
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. prune — to trim
  17. bass — low music
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. charge — a price
  21. bass — the fish
  22. bulb — for light
  23. prune — to trim
  24. safe — a strongbox

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