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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: present · bulb · bank · wax · field · safe · can · board

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  19. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  24. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. bank — for money
  5. present — the time now
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. can — to be able to
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. present — there
  11. bulb — for light
  12. wax — to grow
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — a tin
  15. bank — of a river
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. board — to get on
  18. field — for sport
  19. field — a subject
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bank — for money
  23. field — farmland
  24. present — a gift

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