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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. There's no middle ________________.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. face — to confront
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. face — part of the head
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. present — the time now
  7. fine — high quality
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. fine — all right
  10. key — in music
  11. ground — a position
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. toast — bread
  16. ground — crushed
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. present — there
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. present — a gift
  22. key — the most important part
  23. face — to point toward
  24. key — for a lock

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