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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: bulb · cue · lash · toast · suit · safe · pop · rush

  1. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — the most admired
  2. pop — to visit
  3. cue — a hint
  4. suit — in cards
  5. suit — clothes
  6. toast — bread
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. rush — hurry
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. bulb — for light
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. bulb — for light
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. pop — music
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. pop — soda
  20. cue — for pool
  21. suit — to fit
  22. cue — a signal
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. safe — out of danger

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