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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.

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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: bulb · saw · safe · bank · scale · calf · mug · lie

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. lie — to recline
  3. saw — the tool
  4. bank — for money
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. mug — a face
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. mug — to rob
  14. bank — of a river
  15. bulb — for light
  16. scale — in music
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bulb — for light
  20. scale — for weighing
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. saw — the tool
  23. scale — size or range
  24. mug — a cup

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