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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
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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: tube · object · pass · foot · scale · bulb · land · safe

  1. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. When are we going to ________________?
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  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. scale — size or range
  2. pass — a permit
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. land — a country
  8. bulb — for light
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. tube — a container
  11. scale — in music
  12. tube — the underground
  13. object — to protest
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. object — a thing
  16. bulb — for light
  17. object — an aim
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. foot — a measure
  21. land — to come down
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. land — ground
  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