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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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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: safe · cell · net · toast · bore · pass · bulb · ruler

  1. He was locked up in a ________________.
  2. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. cell — in a prison
  2. net — after costs
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. bulb — for light
  5. net — for catching
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. cell — in biology
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. toast — bread
  17. net — in sport
  18. bore — to tire
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. cell — a phone
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. pass — a permit
  24. bore — to drill

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