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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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. key — the most important part
  3. key — for a lock
  4. march — music
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. roll — a list
  8. stock — goods
  9. roll — a cake
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. stock — shares
  13. pass — a permit
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. suit — to fit
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. key — in music
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. stock — a soup base
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. suit — in cards
  23. march — the month
  24. suit — clothes

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