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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
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: pop · current · cabinet · safe · drill · mug · bulb · rest

  1. You don't need to ________________ round.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — to visit
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. mug — a cup
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. drill — army training
  7. mug — a face
  8. drill — a practice
  9. current — electric
  10. mug — to rob
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. rest — what's left
  13. current — happening now
  14. current — of water
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bulb — for light
  17. pop — music
  18. rest — what's left
  19. rest — a break
  20. pop — soda
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. drill — the tool
  24. bulb — of a plant

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