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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: content · safe · toast · rock · perch · bound · mug · bulb

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. bound — tied together
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. perch — the fish
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. rock — a stone
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. mug — a face
  11. toast — bread
  12. bound — obliged
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. bulb — for light
  15. content — happy
  16. rock — music
  17. bound — certain
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. mug — to rob
  20. bulb — for light
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. content — videos and posts
  23. content — the amount
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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