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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. key — the most important part
  3. key — in music
  4. firm — a company
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. deal — to handle
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. firm — steady
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. firm — decided
  13. rock — a stone
  14. rock — music
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. key — for a lock
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. lie — to recline
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. pitcher — a jug

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