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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: bound · stick · root · safe · sharp · tube · suit · vault

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. suit — to fit
  4. sharp — clever
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. tube — a container
  8. bound — certain
  9. suit — in cards
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. root — of a word
  12. tube — the underground
  13. bound — obliged
  14. vault — a safe
  15. root — of a plant
  16. bound — tied together
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. suit — clothes
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. root — the cause
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — out of danger

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