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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: toast · pit · firm · perch · bulb · safe · plane · current

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. current — of water
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. bulb — for light
  10. firm — decided
  11. plane — a tool
  12. pit — in a race
  13. bulb — for light
  14. current — happening now
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. toast — bread
  17. pit — a hole
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. perch — the fish
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. firm — a company
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. firm — steady
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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