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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: mug · cabinet · mark · wake · toast · bulb · shower · safe

  1. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  2. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — rain
  2. wake — a trail
  3. mug — to rob
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. mark — a trace
  7. mug — a cup
  8. wake — before a funeral
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. mug — a face
  11. bulb — for light
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bulb — for light
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. shower — a meteor shower
  20. toast — bread
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. mark — a grade
  23. shower — to wash
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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