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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 116 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 · ball · safe · wake · pass · cabinet · pitch · stick

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. wake — to stop sleeping
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. ball — a dance
  9. pass — a permit
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. wake — a trail
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. bulb — for light
  16. ball — a great time
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. pitch — completely
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. bulb — for light
  24. cabinet — ministers

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