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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. key — in music
  3. can — to be able to
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. key — for a lock
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. mate — to breed
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. can — a tin
  10. wound — an injury
  11. suit — in cards
  12. wound — past of 'wind'
  13. suit — to fit
  14. mate — a partner
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. mark — a trace
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. key — the most important part
  19. mate — a friend
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. mark — a grade
  23. wound — an injury
  24. can — a tin

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