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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
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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: perch · rock · hide · key · safe · bulb · lash · cabinet

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. bulb — for light
  3. hide — animal skin
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. bulb — for light
  8. perch — the fish
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. key — in music
  17. perch — for a bird
  18. key — for a lock
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. key — the most important part
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. rock — music

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