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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: safe · deal · bulb · mug · cue · leaves · mate · dip

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. bulb — for light
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. mug — a face
  7. mug — a cup
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. deal — to handle
  10. bulb — for light
  11. cue — a hint
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. mate — a partner
  15. dip — to sink
  16. mate — a friend
  17. cue — for pool
  18. mate — to breed
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. cue — a signal
  22. mug — to rob
  23. dip — a sauce
  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