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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
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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. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  18. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. key — in music
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bass — low music
  6. kick — in football
  7. bass — the fish
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. spell — a short time
  10. bulb — for light
  11. wax — to grow
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. bulb — for light
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. spell — letters
  16. lie — to recline
  17. kick — with a leg
  18. kick — a thrill
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. key — the most important part
  22. key — for a lock
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. safe — a strongbox

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