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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: roll · cabinet · can · safe · bulb · wave · temple · nail

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  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. safe — out of danger
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. bulb — for light
  5. can — a tin
  6. roll — a cake
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. roll — a list
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. bulb — for light
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. temple — side of the head
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. nail — on a finger
  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