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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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. key — for a lock
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. bound — certain
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. saw — the tool
  10. bound — obliged
  11. staff — employees
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. key — the most important part
  14. staff — employees
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bound — tied together
  19. key — in music
  20. lie — to recline
  21. staff — a stick
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. fan — a supporter

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