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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 116 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. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. key — the most important part
  2. can — to be able to
  3. root — of a plant
  4. key — for a lock
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. key — in music
  7. root — the cause
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. lie — to recline
  11. can — a tin
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. deal — to handle
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. can — a tin
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. root — of a word
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. lie — an untruth

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