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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: rash · bulb · pass · safe · bore · deal · nail · cabinet

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. deal — to handle
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. pass — a permit
  8. bulb — for light
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. rash — hasty
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bore — to tire
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. rash — a series
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bulb — for light
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. bore — to drill
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. nail — for a hammer

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