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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. key — the most important part
  4. bore — to drill
  5. can — a tin
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. can — to be able to
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. key — for a lock
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bore — to tire
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. charge — electricity
  17. charge — a price
  18. toast — bread
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. can — a tin
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. charge — in control

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