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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. rock — music
  10. lie — to recline
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. straw — to clutch at straws
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. straw — dry grass
  16. key — for a lock
  17. key — the most important part
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. rush — hurry
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. straw — a straw man
  24. rock — a stone

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