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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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. object — a thing
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. pass — a permit
  5. key — in music
  6. lie — to recline
  7. sharp — with an edge
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. key — for a lock
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. key — the most important part
  12. bore — to tire
  13. fine — all right
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. fine — high quality
  17. can — to be able to
  18. sharp — clever
  19. can — a tin
  20. bore — to drill
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. object — to protest
  24. can — a tin

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