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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: ball · safe · bulb · mark · bear · cue · wound · lie

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. wound — an injury
  3. bulb — for light
  4. cue — a hint
  5. bear — the animal
  6. bear — the animal
  7. mark — a trace
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. wound — past of 'wind'
  10. cue — a signal
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. mark — a grade
  15. ball — a dance
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lie — to recline
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. bulb — for light
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. ball — a great time
  23. cue — for pool
  24. wound — an injury

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